John W. Heslop

John W. Heslop passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025. His death occurred just two days after that of his beloved wife, Nancy. They would have been married 60 years in January of 2026.

John was born in Akron on January 23, 1945, to Elaine B. Heslop and Jack W. Heslop. He attended Western Reserve Academy in Hudson OH, followed by Kenyon College in Gambier OH. He made many lifelong friends during those years.

It was when he was a student at Kenyon that he met the love of his life, Nancy. They eloped to Jamestown, NY and then settled in Akron, OH where they went on to raise their two daughters Heather and Elizabeth.

John started his career with his father at the Heslop Building Company. He then went on to work at Studio City in Cuyahoga Falls serving as Vice President and then President.

He loved spending his summers with Nancy at their cottage on a lake in Quebec with his family and the many friends he made there who also enjoyed lake life. He was also a lifelong reader and was an expert on the Civil War.

John was known for having moments Nancy referred to as “A John Thing”. A perfect example goes something like this: He was at a doctor’s appointment when his doctor said, “John do you realize your birthday is 012345?” He was in his fifties.

“Huh?”

That was his reply. We can also imagine the look on his face. It had never occurred to him that his birthday was in numerical order. “A John Thing”.

John is survived by his daughters Heather Heslop Licata (Ross) and Elizabeth Heslop Shumake (Ric). He also leaves behind his much-loved grandchildren, who knew him as BooPa, Jack Edward Licata (Ellie) and Caroline Elizabeth Licata (Bryan); and his great grandchildren Oliver Herschel and Henry Herschel; as well as his many devoted friends.

John was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Heslop; mother Elaine Heslop; father Jack Heslop; brother Ned Heslop; and nephew Brian Heslop as well as his aunt and uncles.

There will be a celebration of life for both Nancy and John at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation, One Perkins Square, Akron, OH 44308 or online at https://give.akronchildrens.org/

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333.