A. John Starp

A. JOHN STARP age 90, beloved husband for 58 years of Angela (nee Lupica); loving father of Carolyn Starp Griffin (husband Thomas) and John H. II (Geri Gram); devoted grandfather of Julia Griffin Markoch (husband Benjamin) and Thomas Bryan Griffin; dearest brother of the late Annmarie Binder (husband Richard, deceased); dear uncle and great-uncle of many. U.S. Air Force Veteran and Freemason. Contributions may be made in memory of John to the Lake County Council on Aging, 8520 East Ave. Mentor, OH 44060.

John Starp was born on May 16, 1930, and died peacefully on December 4, 2020 after a four-month battle with brain cancer. John had a defining presence that did not let difficult circumstances dim his outlook. He lived in Cleveland Heights and Mayfield Heights before moving to Kirtland, Ohio 24 years ago.

John attended Cleveland Heights High School (1948). After serving in the United States Air Force, stationed primarily in Newfoundland, he attended Stetson University for a year before completing his education and graduating from Florida Southern University where he was awarded a business degree (1957).

John married Angela (Lupica) 58 years ago, and they raised two children, Carolyn and John H. II.  John retired from Aetna Health Care as a contract negotiator in 1996, and thoroughly enjoyed his retirement, filling it with competitive shooting, yard work, attending Lakeland College gym, and spending time with his grandchildren Julie and Bryan.

John was a proud Mason in the Mount Olive Chapter of RAM. He was past Master of the Euclid Lodge 0599, current member of the Collinwood Lodge 0582, as well as a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Cleveland and the Knights Templar.

John was an avid marksman with both pistol and shotgun. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) as an “Outdoor Conventional Pistol Marksman”. He was also a lifetime member of the Ashtabula Rod and Gun Club, Inc., the Orwell Gun Club, the Canton McKinley Rifle and Pistol Club, the Kingswood Pistol League, and the Ohio Gun Collectors Association.

Throughout his life, John also enjoyed hunting, photography, music, golf, and riding motorcycles. As a sports fan, he rooted for The Ohio State University Buckeye football team, the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. John enjoyed travelling, including recent trips with his family to Italy, Scandinavia, Germany, and Switzerland. He was a learned gentleman who could discuss almost any topic with anyone.  John was friendly, sociable, and had a great sense of humor, but most of all, his pride and joy was his family.

He will be missed by his numerous friends and family who loved him dearly .

Cremation by DeJohn Crematory. John’s remains will be cared for by his family until a ceremony celebrating his life can be held in the future. Please contact the family for information about the future ceremony. Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON RD.