John M. Wascisin

John M. Wascisin of Bellingham, WA, passed away unexpectedly on November 30, 2022. The son of George and Anne (Kountz) Wascisin, he was born in Helena, MT on November 4, 1949. He attended schools in Helena. He enlisted in the US Army in 1968 where he was trained as a medic at the 396th Station Hospital. His dad asked him to travel out west with him and he joined the 409th Engineers of the Washington Army National Guard in Everett, WA.

He entered a full-time career in 1972 as a federal employee for the WAARNG where he worked at OMS #7 at the Bellingham airport for 20 years. He also served for the WAARNG. He managed projects such as the Snohomish floods, 1975, Mount St. Helens Ash Cleanup, 1980, Monroe Prison, WC flood duty, and others including delivering food to the foodbank.

Upon retiring from the WAARNG (full and part-time positions), he worked as a mechanic and then began trucking for multiple local companies. As a driver he had the opportunity to deliver items from Alaska to Florida. He thoroughly enjoyed driving truck until his retirement in October, 2017.

In 1970, he met the love of his life, Eileen Devlin (Tacoma, WA) at WWU in Bellingham. They were married at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tacoma on August 11, 1973. They were married 49 years and supported each other’s interests and traveled whenever possible. They raised two children in Bellingham and participated in their children’s activities.

John is survived by his wife, Eileen; children, Joanna (Grant) Carsen of Tigard, OR and Michael (Jamie) Wascisin of Erie, CO; grandchildren, Lucas Carsen and Jackson Wascisin; brother, James (Lola) Wascisin of Ferndale; sisters-in-law, Colleen (Vince) Cotroneo, Carol (Larry) Minnitti, LuCindy Matison, and Nancy Sherwood; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, as well as cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 6th at 11:00AM at Westford Funeral Home in Bellingham. Reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.