John Robert Sonietz's Obituary
John Robert Sonietz, loving husband and father, was born in March 1949, and left this world at the age of 73, on the last day of August 2022.
John was born in Chelsea, MA, the only child of John and Kathryn (Tate) Sonietz. When he was little they moved to a farm in southern New Hampshire, God's Country as he called it, which gave him some of his happiest memories. They moved back to Massachusetts in his teen age years, where he graduated from high school and went into the Marines and served as a sniper in Vietnam.
Throughout his life he worked in many fields. He was a paramedic, a chef, a bouncer and bartender, a chemical worker, a locksmith, a gunsmith, he did stand-up comedy, he played bass guitar in a band, rehabilitated sick and injured exotic birds, and travelled all over North America as the owner/operator of a tractor trailer. When his parents retired to Florida and needed help, he left his job and moved down to be near them. He went back to school and became an HVAC tech, and retired from the industry as a service manager. He also spent a few years working part time at the Leesburg airport and was so excited when he earned his private pilot's license, flying throughout the southeast whenever he got the chance.
He met and married his wife, Lisa (Mahlkov) Sonietz, in Florida and they would have celebrated their 27th anniversary this year. He is survived by his wife and their 3 furry four-legged children.
John was blessed with the gift of storytelling and was a master in the art of bringing laughter. He loved to talk tools, the Rolling Stones, 1960s Shelby Mustangs, trains (large and small) and so much more. His memory lives on in the stories he shared and the laughter he gave us.
For those who knew him well, John had a heart as big as the ocean, and was passionate about all animals, particularly treating them with the love and respect that we all deserve. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you all please volunteer at (or donate to) your local animal shelter. John was also proud of his time in the military, so if you wish to honor him and those who served, please donate to your local DAV or any organization that helps Vietnam veterans so they may have a safe place to live.
John will be laid to rest in his home state of New Hampshire. A celebration for family and friends will be held.
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