Obituary of John F. Sawaya

Olean – John F. Sawaya "Long-time Local Restaurateur" John F. Sawaya formerly of 407 E. State St., passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Absolut of Allegany, following an illness. John was born on April 9, 1922 in Olean and was a son of Ferris and Alice Sawaya. On March 2, 1943 in Amarillo, TX, he married his wife of 44 years, Elizabeth J. "Betty" Childs, who predeceased him on April 25, 1987. John was a 1940 graduate of Olean High School. He served in the US Air Force from October 13, 1942 to January 12, 1946. Following the war, John worked at Daystroms for about 3 years. Then he bought the old Heenan Funeral Home building on East State Street as a rental property but then renovated it into the Century Manor restaurant (it was named Century Manor because it was a 100 year old building). John and his wife Betty ran the restaurant for 60 years, retiring in 2007. Also during the same time, John owned and operated the "Texas Hot" on Union Street for several years. John was a member of the St. Joseph's Maronite Rite Catholic Church, the Olean American Legion, The VFW, the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, and Birch Run Golf Course as well as the Bartlett Country Club for many years. In his later years, he enjoyed wintering in Florida, where he enjoyed playing golf. John is survived by; 2 sons, Jerry L. Sawaya of Madeira Beach, FL and John J. (Trisha) Sawaya of Key West FL; 2 daughters, Judie C. Orcutt of Ft. Myers, FL and Alice Michelle (Alex) Cole of Alma; 10 grandchildren; and a loving companion of 15 years, Marilyn Voorhees. Along with his wife, John was predeceased by; 5 brothers, Charley, Dan, Fred F., Peter F., and Mitch Sawaya; and a sister Betty Bolt. Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., #646 E. State Street, Olean, on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2020, beginning with a prayer service at the Funeral Home at 9:30 am, followed by a Divine Liturgy at St. Joseph's Maronite Rite Catholic Church at 10:00 am. The Rev. Tanios Mouanes, Pastor, will celebrate. Burial will be at St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany, NY. Full military honors will be accorded by the Allegany American Legion Charles Harbel Post #892 Ritual Team. Online condolences may be made at www.LetroMcIntoshSpinkFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Maronite Rite Catholic Church, 1102 Walnut Street, Olean, New York 14760.