John Thomas Craciun

John Thomas Craciun, 77, liked to be called Tom.  He was born in Warren, Ohio on March 3, 1943 to parents Eugenia and Joseph Craciun.  Tom passed away Wednesday April 1st, in West Palm Beach, Florida with complications from the Coronavirus.

Tom was the youngest of three children.  Jeanie Craciun the eldest sister passed away at four years of age from Spinal Meningitis. His brother Joe Craciun lives in Las Vegas and has been a craps dealer for more than 59 years. 

Tom was a hard worker from a young age.  He and his brother Joe would pick strawberries, blackberries and mulberries and sell them to neighbors from their little red wagon. He delivered newspapers and cut grass but his favorite job was being a lifeguard. He saved a pregnant woman from drowning while working at the local favorite swimming hole, Farmer Jims. Tom loved swimming, he won many medals and was an Ohio Allstate champion. He made it to the Olympic trials and set a world record for the 40 yard freestyle. Just after he set the record they discontinued that specific race so he will always hold a work record!

He attended Ohio State University and graduated from Youngstown State. Soon after graduation he married his high school sweetheart Nanci Denovchek. They had two children together Jon Paul and Nancy Jean. 

Tom got a job at General Motors in Warren, Ohio where he worked for 30 years as a supervisor. That is why he claimed he spoke so loudly because he had to shout above the hum of the machines. As a side job Tom began buying section 8 properties and fixing them up and renting them.  At one point he had 32 units composed of houses and small apartment buildings. Tom had a passionate love of cars. He raced Porsches and Corvettes and bought and sold cars for profit. Most weekends were spent with his children or at car shows. 

Being able to retire early, he decided to move to Boca Raton, Florida. He continued his passion of flipping houses in Florida. He liked to dabble in the stock market and picked some early winners like Apple. He began to loan money to others who were unable to secure traditional bank loans. Not only was it a great business, but it gave him much joy to provide assistance for those in need. 

Tom is survived by his ex-wife Nanci, long time ex-girlfriend Wendy, son Jon Paul, grandsons Maxwell and Levi, daughter Nancy Jean and granddaughters Hunter and Addison. 

Tom will be very missed by all those who knew him with his commanding energy and zest for life. He will not be forgotten. 

Tom will be cremated and there is not a set funeral service at this time but once a service can be planned, a notification will be provided.

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