NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — John Lazarczyk, 82, of Center Rutland, VT, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Rutland Center for Living and Rehabilitation following a short fight with pancreatic cancer. 

John was born Dec. 17, 1943, the son of John and Rose (Tassone) Lazarczyk, in North Adams, Mass. He attended North Adams schools and graduated from McCann Technical High School.

On March 19, 1971, he married Diane LeBlanc, and they celebrated their 55th anniversary this past March. He worked for First Vermont Bank for three decades. 

John was always ready with a joke, which he thought was hilarious even when his audience did not agree. He enjoyed cheering for the Boston professional sports teams, particularly the New England Patriots, for which he had season tickets for 25 years. He enjoyed watching westerns and reading the novels of Lee Child. 

When he was younger, John was an active member of Rutland Kiwanis and the Mt. St. Joseph Academy Athletic Association. 

Over the last few years, one of his favorite activities was morning coffee with his friends, the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out). They would meet five days a week at Olivia's in Rutland, where John would hold court while they enjoyed coffee and breakfast sandwiches.

John is survived by his wife Diane, of Center Rutland; son Travis of Waterville, Maine; daughter Beth of Savannah, Georgia; son Matthew and husband Anthony Pellegrino of Kissimmee, FLa; son Keith and wife Molly Nitka of Rutland; grandson Sam, with whom he shared a special bond; sister Carol Bostwick of Barefoot Bay, Florida; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John was predeceased by his parents; brothers Joseph Lazarczyk, Charles Lincoln and Edward Lazarczyk; and many aunts and uncles. 

A Mass of Christian Burial for John will be celebrated at noon on Thursday, Nov. 19, at St. Peter Church, 134 Convent Ave., Rutland, VT followed by interment at Cheney Hill Cemetery in Rutland Town. 

The Lazarczyk family thanks the staff at VNA and Hospice of Southwest Region, as well as the staff at Rutland Center for Living and Rehabilitation for their care of John in his final days. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to VNA and Hospice of Southwest Region.