John M. Sargent

John M. Sargent January 5, 1959 - January 27, 2024

John lived not the life he chose, but the one that was set before him. The youngest of eight children, there were many frustrations , mishaps, adventures, and much joy!

From an early age, John had an abundance of energy, which he always challenged his parents and siblings to channel into constructive ways. His mind was especially sharp and always working overtime to come up with ways to enrich the lives of others he encountered. He loved anything mechanized like model airplanes, model boats, motorcycles and cars. While still in high school, he moved south when his parents retired to Deland, FL. He graduated from Deland High School and went off to college in Decatur, GA for engineering. While there, he became ill with a disease (Wegeners) that would change the course of his life. The disease would attack and destroy kidneys, and other organs, such that the person would likely die within 6 months. Sobering news for a 19 year old! Thus began the persistence and determination to affirm life, defying all odds of the medical community and the most optimistic of his health care providers. He became a human guinea pig, enduring many therapies, including experimental drugs from the FDA, to rid his body of this disease. Ultimately, the disease was under control, but at a cost. He was one of the first kidney transplant patients at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1984, and received two others in the ensuing years at University of Rochester Medical Center. His most recent lasted 14 years, and was still functioning.

John came to believe that his life was spared, to do God’s work on earth, and help as many people as he could. He went to Monroe Community College and Nazareth College earning a degree in psychology. He enrolled in the Discernment Program for Priesthood at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester and realized that was not his calling. His first professional job was as a social worker at Charles Settlement House in Rochester. This too, never materialized as a fulfillment of his purpose. He decided to put his energies, and his very capable brain, into helping people with computer problems. He studied and took courses to achieve a proficiency in computer troubleshooting, working for Unisys Corp. After receiving his A+ Certification, he decided to work for himself and incorporated his business as JMS Solutions. With his optimism and enthusiasm he continued to help people with their computers as well as with their lives.

John was involved in many social and spiritual networks, most notably the Knights of Columbus, Notre Dame Learning Center, St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, Big Brother, and Browncroft Community Church outreach.  He had his favorite leisure pastimes...baking bread, playing all kinds of games, especially Euchre, Poker, Golf, Pool, board games, and really spending time with his large family and close friends. 

He is predeceased by his parents, Clifford & Marion Sargent, sister Loraine Cormia Cordaro, brother Charles, brother-in-law Louis Shaffer and niece Maureen Femiano. He is survived by siblings Sandra Burke, Barbara Kristan (Joe), Thomas (Linda) Sargent, Marilyn Shaffer, Maureen (Dennis) Hann, sister-in-law Barbara Jean Sargent, many nieces and nephews who were the beneficiaries of his daring-do and enthusiasm for life, Aunts, one Uncle & many cousins of the Lochner/McClain families, and devoted friends who shared in his faithfulness to helping others, including his Fraternal Brothers of the Knights of Columbus.

The family would like to thank the Doctors, nurses, staff and caregivers at Cobbs Hill Manor where he resided for 5 years, Monroe Community Hospital where he resided the past year and Highland Hospital Observation and Hospice care units where he was treated with compassion during his final days.

Funeral services to celebrate John's life will be held from 4 PM- 7:00 PM on Monday, January 29, 2024, at David Doser Funeral Home 76 South Main St. Fairport, NY, 14450 with a Mass of Christian burial at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, 207 Garfield St. East Rochester, NY. 14445 on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 9:30 AM and burial at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Rochester, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed in his memory to St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality or Saint Peters soup kitchen.

Addresses for charity donations are - St. Peter’s Kitchen
PO Box 11031
Rochester, NY 14611-2390

St Joseph’s House of Hospitality PO Box 31049
Rochester, NY 14603

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John M. Sargent, please visit our floral store.