John Cullen Mossing of Warminster, PA and formerly of Pillar Point, NY and Gouverneur, NY, passed peacefully at his home on November 2. John was born on April 9, 1942, to Matilda Cheney Mossing in Toledo, OH. He was the youngest of six children. His three sisters and two brothers preceded him in death.
John graduated from Swanton High School where he was an accomplished athlete in basketball and track and field. He earned a degree from Ohio Northern University where he ran track and pole vaulted.
John spent 70 years with his high school sweetheart, Nancy Mossing (Kline). The couple married on August 8, 1964. Nancy survives at home in Warminster, PA. Also surviving are John and Nancy’s three children, who thought of their dad as a hero: Kristen Bauter (Stacy) of Pillar Point, NY; Ann Mossing (Shawn) of Doylestown, PA; and John “JC” Mossing (Jessica) of Queensbury, NY.
Grandchildren Lee Bauter (Molly), Nancy Lindsey (Alan), Anna Bauter, Reb Russell III, William Russell, Elizabeth Russell, Lauren Mossing, Ella Mossing, and Jack Mossing lovingly referred to their grandfather as “Minkin.” John and Nancy were further blessed with two great-grandchildren, Alan “Trey” Lindsey and Maureen McGuane Bauter.
John touched over 10,000 lives as a teacher and coach for 37 years, retiring from Gouverneur Central School District (NY) in 2001. He taught Physical Education (K-12) and Health, and served as a coach for basketball, football, and track and field. John was inducted into the Gouverneur High School Athletics Hall of Fame, and served as Treasurer of the Gouverneur Schools Federal Credit Union. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching the Yankees, Giants, Syracuse University, and Ohio State.
More important than his list of accomplishments is the impact John had on others. His students and colleagues at West Side Elementary may remember the birthday posters he made for each of them, his trivia questions of the day, or the music he played over the P.A. system each morning to set the mood for the day. John was a good neighbor and friend to all while living in Gouverneur, NY. He came up with the idea for a New Year’s morning champagne brunch and hosted over one hundred people each year at the family home on Gleason Street. When he moved to Pillar Point, NY, John created a community birthday sign to celebrate his neighbors, which was featured on the local news.
Nancy will treasure 20 years of retirement adventures with John to their favorite places: Sanibel Island, FL; Fountain Hills, AZ; Gulf Shores, AL; Tybee Island, GA; Outer Banks, NC; Topsail Island, NC; and Ocean City, MD. John’s family will smile when they think of his humor and love of life. His friends will miss the daily sharing of Wordle scores. His children will remember fondly his commitment to taking them each on a two-week adventure and the taste of his homemade maple syrup and cookies.
John Mossing was a loving husband, a devoted family man, a valued coworker, a treasured friend, a trusted advisor, and a fierce believer in the abilities of his children, grandchildren, students, and all people. He possessed the unique ability to enrich the lives of others by turning everyday events into fun and adventure.
A private remembrance and celebration of John’s life will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations in his memory can be made to Gouverneur Foundation, P.O. Box 306, Gouverneur, NY 13642. Please write “John Mossing” on the memo line. Donations will fund scholarships for Gouverneur High School students, and can also be made online at https://gouverneurfoundation.com/give/. Select “The John Mossing Scholarship.”