John George Ducar, 87, died on August 16, 2026, in Bowling Green, Ohio. He was a charismatic jokester who always lit up the room; a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who was always quick to share a joke and a smile with all he met. No one was a stranger to John. He talked to everyone he met as if they were his new best friend.
John was born on March 30, 1939, in Syracuse, NY to John and Mary (Marie) Ducar. After completing high school in Syracuse, John went on to earn a BA from LeMoyne College. After college, John served in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. National Guard. Following his service, he completed an MBA from Syracuse University.
An avid Syracuse University sports fan, he was rarely seen without his SU cap on his head. For many years, John served as the Personnel Director at the Oswego Hospital in Oswego, NY, and it was there that he met the love of his life, Janet. Together, they celebrated 53 years of marriage together. The two were always on the road, heading “wherever the car might take them” often a casino or a favorite restaurant.
John was always quick with a smile and a joke. Friends and family knew him best for his mean rendition of Tiny Tim’s Tip Toe through the Tulips. Those squeaky high notes guaranteed laughs. As his memory faded, he loved collecting and inspecting coins. He would sort them by state and reward the grandkids with their own container of quarters from the state of their choice, making them feel rich with their new treasure from grandpa/pop-pop. He loved to make-up stories for the kids and taught all of them to play the stone game on the stairs, always ending by finding a quarter magically behind their ears.
As a couple Janet and John inspired those around them with living room serenades and dances. They loved each other deeply, through all of life’s ups and downs.
Health issues forced the couple to move to Ohio in 2022, and there at Heritage Corner, they found a second family. John, or blue eyes, as the staff affectionately called him was always singing “Strolling through the Park” and “You Are My Sunshine,” always trying to make everyone who crossed his path smile, perhaps in part because of his own personal battles with depression and dementia. John made it his mission to spread happiness.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John & Mary Ducar, his sisters, Mary Anne Dexter and Dorothy Gossett and his granddaughter, Melanie Scaccia. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet and his four children: Sandra Scaccia (Anthony “Chipper”) of Oswego, NY, Vikki Rohm (LTC Robert Rohm) of Magnolia, TX, Cynthia Ducar (Ben Motisher) of Bowling Green, Ohio, and John Ducar (Kayla) of Poughquag, NY. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren (and one more on the way!), and numerous nieces and nephews.
John’s love of sports, corny sense of humor and Dad jokes will live on in the memories of those who knew and loved him. We all hope to continue his legacy of spreading happiness to all. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff of Heritage Corner and Buckeye Hospice for all they did to make John’s final years happy ones.
A memorial service will be held in the Georgian Room on the second floor of Heritage Corner on 1069 Klotz Rd. in Bowling Green, Ohio the date and time is to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes in-memoriam donations to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs or St Aloysius Catholic Church in Bowling Green, Ohio.
Arrangements are under the caring guidance of Dunn Funeral Home in Bowling Green, Ohio located in the Historical District of Bowling Green, Ohio at 408 W. Wooster St. 43402.
To leave an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
