Dr. John Peter Ploski, a true gentleman in every sense of the word…Marilyn’s John, her gentle gentleman, passed away peacefully after a long, loving visit from his loving family on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. John, affectionately known as Jackie, to his family, was born on September 19, 1933, in Bayonne, NJ to Wanda Miller (deceased) and Peter John Ploski (deceased). He is also predeceased by his beautiful sister, Ann Ploski Sommerville and his fun-loving brother, Richard Valentine Ploski, both from New Milford, CT. His surviving compassionate brother, Robert Ploski and his wife, Sally Tabbutt Ploski, reside in Fort Meyers, FL. John is also survived by his loving wife, of 61 and a half years, Marilyn Winchell (Turner) Ploski, of Simsbury, CT. They always considered their marriage a match made in Heaven. Their two children, Gail Ann (Ploski) Dobinski (daughter) of Hopkinton, MA and her husband, Bob, and their five children, Robert John of Los Angeles, CA, Michael Ross, Santa Cruz, CA, Rachel Christine, of Hopkinton, MA, Sara Rose, of Los Angeles, CA and Peter Matthew of Hopkinton, MA, and Dale L. Ploski, (son) of Simsbury, CT and his two children, Bryant William, of Bermuda and Kristin Lindsey of Easthampton, MA. A three letter athlete, and an honor student from New Milford HS, John was a gifted guitarist and singer, and was capable of playing any instrument placed in his hands. John was a very proud member of the US Army, serving for three years in the Adjutant General Corps. Following those years, John became totally involved in education and over 25 years went through the ranks of being a teacher, principal, superintendent of schools, and also was a professor at Worcester State University, Worcester, MA. John also belonged to several educational organizations and was a past president of Phi Delta Kappa. John later embarked on a second 25-year career with the Department of Defense serving as a Defense Contract Administrator based in Hartford, CT. John’s interests varied greatly. He and Marilyn were active Guild members of the Hartford Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. He was a fabulous ballroom dancer and studied tap dancing with Marilyn when they were in their 60s. His gardening pursuits were legendary. John also enjoyed art-related activities, including drawing, painting and building things. The Masonic Order was of prime interest to him, serving 50 plus years in the Valley Lodge #36, The Columbia Chapter #31 RAM, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Both John and Marilyn were active in the Martial Arts. John and Marilyn were world travelers. Family reunions with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews from CT, NJ, FL, MA brought great joy to John. Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Friday, March 11thm from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 12th at the Simsbury United Methodist Church, 799 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. Burial with military honors will follow in Simsbury Cemetery. Donations are graciously accepted towards the John and Marilyn Ploski Scholarship Fund at Granby Memorial High School, 315 Salmon Brook Street, Granby, CT 06035.