WESTFIELD – John Filo, 102, a lifelong resident of Westfield, died on February 16, 2014 in Westfield, MA. He was born in Westfield on June 7, 1911, the son of Karel and Caroline (Rehak) Filo/Brus. John attended Ashley Street School and graduated from Westfield Trade School in 1927.He joined the US Navy in 1928 and was honorably discharged in April, 1934. He served principally in the Pacific Theater aboard the troop transport USS Chaumont. At that time, U.S. Troops were being deployed to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Shanghai, China. John was fond of recounting his experiences in China during the Sino-Japanese War. After his discharge, John returned to Westfield, working locally as a carpenter and machinist. He was an avid aviation enthusiast, owning and flying his Gypsy Moth airplane from Barnes Airport during the Depression years, and aptly earning the nickname “Flyer”, which he was affectionately called by family and close friends for the rest of his life. He was employed at the Springfield Armory from 1939 until its closure in 1968. During the World War II years John was night foreman at the Armory Clip Shop; which was vital to the war effort. The Armory manufactured millions of ammunition clips for MI Garand Rifle, then the standard infantry rifle for the U.S.
In 1937 John married Anna B. Zacek, also of Westfield. Together they built their home on Pontoosic Road, where he put his carpentry skills to good use. John became an avid vegetable gardener; Anna was a great cook and knitter. They became well known in the local Square Dancing circles, traveling afar to attend Square Dancing events. Unfortunately, they had no children of their own, but they bestowed their love and affection on their nieces and nephews in particular. They enjoyed a happy marriage until Anna died in 1982. In 1996 John met Myrtle Hunter of Chesterfield, MA. They became constant weekend companions, to the delight of both families. Myrtle passed away in 2011, leaving a significant void in his life. Our thanks to the Hunter and Kingsbury families for their love and affection to John in his later years.
John is survived by his half-brother August Brus, of Westfield, MA; his half-sister, Elizabeth Brus of Astoria, N.Y. and step-brother, Robert Brus of Jackson, N.J. ; his nieces and nephews and their families, Wendy and Dan Fallon and children Mikayla and Conner of Granby, CT, Mark Brus and Karen Meyers of Lexington, MA, Eric Brus and Dave O’Neal of Watertown, MA, Caroline Bocher of Astoria, N.Y., John Funcasta and family of Southbridge, MA, Joseph Ross and family of East Longmeadow, MA, William Voska and family of Columbus, Ohio and Oklahoma, Cathy Boutahiri and family of Las Vegas, Nevada, Eric Jensen of Charlotte, N.C., and Jeanne Hebert and family of Amherst, Ohio. John was predeceased by an older sister, Anna, and brother, Charles.
The family is grateful to the staff and residents of the Arbors Assisted Living of Westfield for the care, kindness and affection extended to John during his stay there. As he once described it, they became “a part of his family”.
The funeral will be Thursday, February 20, 2014 at the Church of the Atonement, 36 Court Street, Westfield at 12:00 noon. A reception will follow at the Church. A private burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Children’s Religious Education Department at Church of the Atonement, 36 Court Street, Westfield, MA. 01085.
