John Lysak facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 16, 1914 Bound Brook, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | January 8, 2020 (aged 105) Fremont, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Athlete |
| Spouse(s) | June Lysak (m. ????–2001; her death) |
John J. Lysak (born August 16, 1914 – died January 8, 2020) was an American canoeist. He was an athlete who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. John was born in New Jersey but grew up in an orphanage in New York.
At the 1936 Olympics, he competed in Men's Folding Kayak Doubles, 10 kilometres. He finished seventh in this event. After the Olympics, John served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Later, he went to Springfield College and worked as a painting contractor. He retired when he was 62 years old.
John Lysak's Early Life
John Lysak was born in Bound Brook, New Jersey, on August 16, 1914. His brother, Steven Lysak, also became a famous canoeist. Steven won gold and silver medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
When John was four years old, his mother passed away. This happened during the 1918 flu pandemic. Their father had to send their two sisters to live with relatives. John and Steven were sent to an orphanage in New Jersey. After two years, they moved to an orphanage in Yonkers, New York.
In their free time, the brothers loved to build boats. They made them along the Hudson River using simple materials like tar paper and barrel pieces. Their talent was noticed by members of a local rowing club. John and Steven joined the club. There, John met James O'Rourke. James later became John's partner for the 1936 Olympics.
Competing in the Olympics
John Lysak and James O'Rourke traveled to Berlin for the 1936 Olympics. During their journey, they caused some trouble in the ship's gym. Because of this, they were not allowed to use the gym for most of the trip.
They competed in the Men's Folding Kayak Doubles, 10 kilometres event. This race took place on a lake near Berlin. John and James did not win a medal, but they finished seventh in the competition.
While at the Games, John watched some of the track and field events. He said he saw Adolf Hitler refuse to congratulate Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens was an American athlete who won four gold medals. When John returned to the United States, he asked Owens about the incident. According to John, Owens said that he was used to such things happening to him. After the 1936 Games, John Lysak never went back to Europe.
Later Years and Retirement
After the Olympics, John Lysak returned to the United States. He graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts. There, he met his wife, June.
John served as a United States Marine during World War II. He was stationed in the South Pacific. After the war, John moved to California. He worked as a painting contractor until he retired at age 62.
John and June had two sons. June passed away in 2001. John continued to kayak until 2002. In 2008, he was living in Fremont, California, with his sons. At that time, he was known as the oldest living former Olympian in the San Francisco Bay Area. Even so, he did not keep any Olympic souvenirs in his home. John Lysak lived to be 105 years old.
