Obituary-img

John J. Prewasnicak

August 9, 1965 ~ May 19, 2026

Born in: Rochester, NY
Resided in: Rochester, NY
Obituary-img
john prewasnicak

John J. Prewasnicak

August 9, 1965 ~ May 19, 2026

Born in: Rochester, NY
Resided in: Rochester, NY


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  1. To the family of LT Pre,

    I am very sorry for your loss and sorry to hear of his passing. I worked with him with Police Special Events . He always talked very fondly of his family. He was very proud of his girls. I was also aware of his special connection to the Special Olympics between the “Polar Plunge” and the “Cop on a Rooftop” Dunkin’ fundraising events. He will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy to all of you. – Janet Schepler

  2. Maria – I am so sorry to learn of John’s death. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

  3. “And did you get what you wanted from this life. even so? I did, and what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.” Rest in peace our beloved Pre. –
    The Rochester Police Benevolent Association Board of Trustees

  4. In loving memory of John J. Prewasnicak, with deepest sympathies –
    Love, Fred & Linda Wright

  5. In loving memory of John J. Prewasnicak. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family & friends –
    Erin Rogers and Gary

  6. Thank you for always being so good to us. We will miss you –
    All your friends at Fabulous Flowers

  7. With deepest sympathy. You will be greatly missed –
    Love, Your Rochester Police Locust Club family

  8. WE are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family –
    McAlpin Industries

  9. Andy, Jen, Sophia, Drew and family, We are so sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time –
    Love, Your Anesthesia and OR friends

  10. Maria, Our heartfelt condolences to you and the girls. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sending so much love –
    Michelle & Arianna Galetta

  11. With our deepest sympathies. John was so loved and will be greatly missed –
    Love, John, Jill & Luke Otto

  12. “Son-in-Law”
    We love you John. Thank you for th all the great times and memories –
    Mom& Dad LaPlaca

  13. “Brother-in-Law”
    Love you Unca John. You will be sorely missed. One of the Greats! –
    Frank & Tracey, Michelle & Alan, Andy & Jennifer

  14. Marg, Maria, Melissa, and Jenna. John will forever be in our hearts –
    Uncle Marky

  15. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the entire Prewasnicak family –
    With love, Peggy, Allyson & Scott Cherkasky

  16. Thinking of you during the difficult time. Wishing you peace and comfort –
    The Gatto Family

  17. Dearest Lynn and Family, Please accept our deepest condolences to you over hte loss of your brother. May the special memories you made together help you through this difficult time –
    Your VA Specialty Family

  18. In loving memory of John J. Prewasnicak. A wonderful person who will be loved and missed always and forever. I loved hanging out with you when I got to see you with Sal Srkevin –
    Brown/Althlete

  19. Roses are Red. Violets are Blue. We LOVE you. Our heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time –
    Caitlin, Leslie, Kristin, Keith, Josh & Jason

  20. John was a remarkable man who I knew while working with him and his father, another amazing man, at the Rochester Police Department. My condolences and prayers go out to his family.

  21. Dear Marge and family

    My deepest sympathy to you and your family May all your wonderful memories of such a lovely man bring you comfort and sustain you

    Charlene

  22. Maria, Melissa, Jenna, Shawn,
    John had such a way of making people feel important. Jacob absolutely adored John his boy. Beyond everything John did for Jacob, what stands out most is the kind of husband, father, and man he was. The way he loved you all showed in all the conversations with him. The warmth of your home, the way everyone was always included, the kindness you all showed that came from the example John set every single day. I know your family lost the center of so many beautiful memories a husband, father, and protector whose love will always remain part of who you all are. No words will ever express how deeply loved John was and how many lives he changed simply by being the kind, caring person he was. He always SHOWED UP. John will continue to shine his love on all!! Prayers of strength.

  23. John,
    As a parent, there are certain people you pray your child will find in this world. Someone who sees their heart, protects their spirit, and helps them become who they are meant to be. John, you were that person for Jacob. I will spend the rest of my life grateful that our paths crossed with yours. Not only did you treat him like your own you brought him into your family, where he felt love!!! After reading so many other comments your love has shined over sooo many!! You are truly one of a kind and one others will inspire to be. Your words “get of that couch” and “you got this kid” will forever be on Jacob’s story. I hope you truly know how much you were loved back.
    Sarah

  24. Pre, it was an honor knowing you and working with you through Special Olympics and the Polar Plunge. You are among the kindest, caring and genuinely nicest guys around. You always had such a calm demeanor and your passion for helping others was unmatched. The Rochester community is truly better for having you in it. You will be missed. All my best to the Prewasnicak family, you are all in our thoughts.

  25. John it was a pleasure knowing you, working with you, fellowshipping. Shocking that you have “checked” out so soon. But not my timetable or yours. We are on GOD’s schedule. Miss ya Brother. Just want your Family to know that we too cherished your presence, your spirit, and your love. Thanks, Prewasnicak Family, for sharing John with us, and letting us enjoy a portion of his life…..

  26. Our deepest condolences on the loss of John. John was truly one of Rochester’s finest. Rest in peace Brother.

  27. Maria,
    Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. John was an excellent supervisor and law enforcement professional who was always easy to work with. All of us held him in high regard. I wish you and your family peace and comfort during this most difficult time. God Bless Always.

  28. Maria

    We are so sorry to hear about the loss of John.
    He was a wonderful person, a very professional police officer and a person dedicated to this community.
    We will keep you and John in our thoughts and prayers.

    Frank and Karla Geraci

  29. Maria, Melissa, and Jenna, I know I have no words that I can share on how shocking it was to get the call that John had passed. Darlene and I send our sincere sympathy on John’s passing. John and I came on the job about 6 month’s apart and were friends throughout our careers with RPD and retired the same year within a few months of each other. John was so proud of Melissa and Jenna, we would talk about our children’s wonderful accomplishments when I would visit with him in his Special Events office, Maria you were his love of his life. May God bring you comfort that we all know that John is in heaven where he is bringing that infectious smile and wonderful sense of humor to all. May God give you the strength to navigate this most difficult time. Maria and family you are in our prayers. John I will always have fond memories of our times working together and our times shared off the job. Rest in peace John you will truly be missed by all. Deepest condolences, Gary & Darlene Sullivan

  30. John,
    For those of us who were lucky enough to call you friend, our loss comes in second only to that of Maria, the girls, your mom and family. The quality of your character, devotion to those you cared about and laid-back approach to the most difficult tasks in life were your trademarks. For those who might not understand, your love of and commitment to the athletes of Special Olympics was nothing short of inspiring. Through the Law Enforcement Torch Run and your progression from Torch Runner to Local then State Director, you exemplified the meaning of our moniker “Guardians of The Flame” (of Hope). You personally changed the lives of countless athletes, not only in New York but nationally and internationally as well. To Maria, Jenna, Melissa and Marge, though nothing can eliminate your pain caused by this extraordinary loss, perhaps the knowledge that “Pre” was loved by so many whose lives he touched, may soften the blow until you are all united once again in God’s Kingdom. Rest in peace Pre and may God Bless and keep safe your beautiful family.

  31. I met Pre when I first started working for the RPD in ‘91. For the next 35 years we would exchange pleasantries each time we crossed paths with one another. Later in our careers we would meet weekly at the Lyell Ave NET office to solve the “world’s problems “ as they related to the Lyell Ave area.
    Pre’s quiet demeanor coupled with a practical approach to solving the issues at hand were both positive and effective . That “I know what you’re thinking” smile and a brief yet informative conversation endeared Pre to those around him. He will be sorely missed across many facets of daily life. May the life that he shared with us keep his memory in our hearts and comfort those who love him during this time of grief. RIP Pre, till we meet again. ~Snoman

  32. I can only echo what so many folks have already said about John, a good man, solid cop, and a strong and competent boss. His dedication to the Special Olympics is a testament tohis character. May his generous soul rest in the peace of Christ.

    Ed Giblin
    RPD ret

  33. I was privileged to serve with John on the Rochester Police Benevolent Association Board of Trustees. He served fellow police officers and our community with humility, kindness, joy, and a palpable commitment to all that was good and important.

    We will miss him. My sincere condolences to his family and all adversely affected by his loss. RIP.

  34. This one hurts and I will miss John’s smiling face in our shared office at the LC. Conversations always turned to family, and the pride and love he showed for Maria and his girls was overflowing. Thank you John for all the lives you have touched. Rest in peace, Brother.

  35. This one hurts and I will miss John’s smiling face in our shared office at the LC. Conversations always turned to family, and the pride and love he showed for Maria and his girls was overflowing. Thank you John for all the lives you have touched. Rest in peace, Brother.

  36. Sorry to hear of Pre’s passing. He was a good man and a great cop. He will be missed. Go with God John, go with God.

  37. Johnny “Pre” was a good cop, good boss and a good friend. It was always my pleasure to work with him and beside him. God bless him and his family. Definitely taken too soon.

  38. I wasn’t expecting this and needless to say I am devastated. John was such a great cop and more importantly, a wonderful human being. My condolences to Maria and their children and other family members, friends and his law enforcement family. Rest in Peace John.

  39. This was sad and shocking news. Pre was a good man who was a pleasure to work with, and to be around. His sense of humor was always appreciated. He was a top-notch supervisor who cared for his people, and for the community. RIP John!

  40. To all who loved John, I am so sorry for your loss. Sometimes we cannot see the reasoning behind God’s plan, and perhaps never will, but I pray the Lord gives you all peace and comfort in your time of grief. We never get over a loss such as this, we can only hope to keep his memory alive with our own sweet memories of his life that was lived to the fullest. You have so many good times to remember, keep those close to your heart. I pray for the whole family that the Lord will bless you with many times to celebrate John’s life.

  41. Mrs P. my name is tom ford and i knew john during my 21 years of service as a civilian supervisor of the rpd facit team. i am very saddened by LT. P,S sudden passing. my office at the public safety building was just around the corner from john,s office and i had chance to have many conversations with him which i will remember fondly. lastly what i remember most about john is the respect that i had for him and the respect he gave me as a civilian member of rpd. i will keep you and your family in my prayers during this difficult time and the time ahead for you and your family.

  42. Kathy and I were deeply saddened by the news of John’s passing. Our sincerest condolences to his family and close friends. You are all in our daily prayers. Rest in peace Pre.

    Carlos & Kathy Garcia

  43. I want to express my sincere condolences to the Prewasnicak Family for your loss. John was a great friend to many. He was cherished by his family and friends and co-workers. I pray that God gives the Family strength during this challenging time, and also each day after since this was a shock to all. John was too young, but I know God has a reason for calling John now. Keeping the faith and trusting God is what the good Lord wants the Family and friends to do. RIP Pre

  44. I’m just devastated and heartbroken on the loss of John. He was so special, kind, loving and a great friend to me. John had an infectious smile and laugh and he could brighten your day with just his presence. We worked many years together and he was a great cop and even better supervisor, throughout the years, he was always the same great man I’ve always known. Every few months, a group of us would get together and hang out and have some laughs, it was always so much fun. It won’t be same without him, he was vital part of our group. My condolences to all his family and his large swath of friends. He was just awesome! I love you, John! Thank you for your love and friendship!

  45. Rest in peace, John. A great man taken way too soon. My heartfelt condolences to his loving wife and daughters.

  46. The Association of Rochester Police and Area Law Enforcement Retirees (ARPALER) sends condolences, prayers and love to Maria, Marge and the entire family of Lt. John Prewasnicak, and we salute him for his leadership and dedicated service to the community. Rest in peace, Brother. 🙏💙