John Edward Hardel

July 10, 1950 – April 8, 2018

John passed away peacefully on April 8, 2018 surrounded by his friends and family.

John was the youngest son of Edward and Mary (Jakus) Hardel.  He was born in Winnebago, Wisconsin.  He was a 1969 graduate of Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delavan, Wisconsin. He then went on to NTID in Rochester, New York. His employment history was vast and notable. He worked for Berlin Chapman in Berlin, WI; IRS internship in Boston, MA; Merrill Lynch in Rochester, NY; Lawyers Coop in Webster, NY; AT&T in Boston, MA; American Express in Phoenix, AZ; and Usher Syndrome Coalition, Boston, MA. John also spent many hours Volunteering his time. He served on the committee and executive committee of the Rochester Area task force on AIDS; He was a certified peer educator for people diagnosed with HIV through the NYS AIDS institute; He was a certified HIV/ AIDS trainer; he served on the AIDS Garden Committee; he taught sign language; and he was a member of the Consumer AIDS Committee at Trillium Health.

John came from a very large family that he loved to talk about. He was the youngest of 3 children, an Uncle, Great Uncle, and Great Great Uncle.

His older Brother Joe Jakus ( Bernice) of Henrietta, NY and their family; Alan (Kris) Jakus of Hemlock, NY; Steve (Mary) Jakus of Irondequoit, NY and their children Erica and Jessica; Pamela (Tom, deceased) Bertolone of Henrietta, NY and their children Jacqueline and Mathew; Julie Jakus of Henrietta, NY and her children Joshua and Jacob; and Jackie Tebeau of Henrietta, NY and her son Zachary.

His older sister Jane DeBot- Garzone (Tom, deceased) of East Rochester, NY and her family; Brian (Kennetha) DeBot, of Rochester, NY and their children Dana (deceased), Kenneth, Sarah, Jessica, and Arika; Craig DeBot of  East Rochester, NY; Annette (Tim) Herlihy of Oshkosh, WI and their children Timothy Jr., Tianna, Taelynn, Tiernan, and Tanner; Danelle ( Joe) Jarvis of Brockport, NY and their children Joseph, Thomas, Tyler, Aydien, and Michael.

He had many Great great nieces and nephews.

John was an active member of Rochester Recreational Club for the Deaf. He was a part of DEAR. He loved to played cards there, especially Oh Hell and Euchre.

A memorial was held at RRCD, On May 6, 2018.

Donations may be made in John’s name to either the Isaiah House or Trillium Health Deaf Services.

Submitted by Ed Kelly