John J. Niezgoda, 58, of Curtice, Ohio, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2008 in the Cleveland Clinic. John was born in Toledo, Ohio on December 17, 1949, to Leonard and Virginia (Palecki) Niezgoda. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and the University of Toledo. While at UT John played linebacker and was a member of the famous 35 - 0 football team. Mr. Niezgoda was employed as a foreman for over 30 years at Allied Building Products. He and his wife Carol served as foster and adoptive parents with the Lucas County Children Services for over 20 years. His great pride as the father of 14 children and 3 grandchildren was only outweighed by the sacrifices he made every year to make his children's dreams come true. John was a member of the Varsity T Club at UT and the Cooley Canal Yacht Club. He loved fishing, gardening and model trains but might be best known for his outstanding pie baking ability. He will be remembered for his incredible strength and persistence as he fought valiantly against his cancer for over 5 months in the Cleveland Clinic. Surviving are his loving wife, Carol; mother, Virginia; children, Audrey (Mike) Jones, Chad, Brittany, Deanna, Andy, Daniel, Sabrina, Micki, Miranda, Marissa, Chris, Mariah and Marcus; grandchildren, Angelita, Makenzi and one future granddaughter on the way; sisters, Mary Ann (Jim) Perko, Diane (Mario) Leguizamon and mother-in-law, Ruth Vogelbacher. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard and father-in-law, Daniel. Visitation for friends and family will be held Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. in the Eggleston Meinert Pavley, Millbury Chapel, 1111 Woodville Road. Cooley Canal Yacht Club services will be at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in St. Peter Lutheran Church, 17877 W. State Route 579 in Martin, Ohio. Interment will follow in Elliston Cemetery. Memorial contributions in John's memory may be made to the John Niezgoda Family Fund at the Huntington Bank. Visitation: Tuesday, 2-9 p.m. Services: Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.