John R. Izzi, age 86 of Canton passed away Monday, November 14, 2016. He was beloved by many as brother, uncle, educator, mentor and dear friend. Born in Fairmont, WV, June 24, 1930. He was a Canton resident since 1958. He attended Fairmont Schools and graduated from West Fairmont Senior High School in 1949. John was a four year Korean War Veteran of the US Air Force ( 1950-1954 ) and served in Germany 1951-1954. He attended Fairmont State College and graduated 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. He graduated in 1962 with a Masters Degree in Education from the University of West Virginia at Morgantown. He also attended the University of Akron in 1960 and 1966. John was a retired Stark County Ohio Educator. His 30 plus educational career started as a history teacher and coach at Middlebranch Jr. High School and as a history teacher and coach at Glenwood high School in the Plain Local School District. He moved to the Tuslaw School District as its first High School Basketball Coach and history teacher in 1960. John was also Principal at Tuslaw High School from 1962-1970. He moved to Stark County Dept of Education and served that office as a Supervisor Curriculum development. John in 1974 was appointed as Superintendent of the Stark County Area Joint Vocational School District. He was the first Superintendent of that district and the founding Superintendent of the R.G. Drage Careen Education Center. He was a member of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and a member of Ohio Association of Joint Vocational School Superintendents. John was of Catholic Faith. He attended St. Michael Catholic Church. John is preceded in death by his father, Nick Izzi, his mother Antonia D'Allesandro, his sister Rose Izzi and his brother, Andrew Izzi. John is survived by his sister Mary E. Izzi, sister-in-law Mary Louise Izzi, nieces Regina Peacock, Karen Izzi and Sharon Izzi. And their families, Tim, Ami, Andrew; Eric, Darrin, and Sara and their families. Family and friends will be received on Monday from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church with a Memorial Mass to follow, Rev. Fr. Don King celebrant and Rev. Fr. Michael Seifert con-celebrant. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in John's name to your favorite charity or for Pancreatic Cancer research. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fairmont W. Va. Burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Fairmont.