COL. JOHN J. DROBOT USAF Ret. of Palm Coast FL died on March 13 2009 after a prolonged illness. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday March 18th at Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach FL at 11:00am with Rev. Alberto Esposito officiating. His family will receive friends on Tuesday March 17th from 5-7pm at Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast. Interment will be Thursday March 19th at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:30pm.

John was born in Webster MA Jan. 22 1934 son of the late Frank J. and Mae (Stapor Drobot) Petrosinelli. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Francis Drobot.

John served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force continuously from March 1954 to August 1985 during the Cold War Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War. Assignments encompassed varied duties in operational and administrative positions. He interrupted his college studies to enlist in the Aviation Cadet Program in 1954 earning his wings and commission in 1955. He subsequently went on to earn a BS degree from the University of Nebraska and a Masters degree in Business from the University of Colorado. Elected to Sigma Iota Epsilon Honorary Fraternity at Colorado. He was a Master/Instructor Navigator with over 3300 flying hours and 9 years as a Combat Crew Member on Air Refueling Tankers (Heavy) in the Strategic Air Command. In addition to combat crew training staff training included Air War College Professional Military Comptroller School Squadron Officers School and others. Representative Staff positions included: Acting Dir. of Budget United States Air Forces Europe Germany; Acting Air Force Chief Operating Appropriations Dev. Hdq. USAF Pentagon; Comptroller United States Air Forces Pacific; Chief Data Mgt. Div. Defense Security Assistance Agency Dept. of Defense Pentagon.

Recipient of: Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Medal with Bronze Cluster Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Combat Readiness Medal and others.

Life Member of American Association of Military Officers Military Order of World Wars and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8696. John was also a member of Hammock Beach Golf Club and Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church.

He is survived by his adored wife of 46 years Joan (Cairns) originally of Brookline MA daughter Ann E. of Palm Coast and sons John M. of Boston MA And Scott C. of San Francisco CA. Survivors also include: a brother Joseph P. Drobot of Thompson CT a brother-in-law The Hon. Joseph D. Clancy of Palm Coast (Betty) sisters-in-laws Bobbi Cairns of Sarasota FL and Lorraine Drobot of Webster MA two aunts and many nieces nephews and cousins.

Memorial Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society 1620 Clyde Morris Blvd. Ste 300 Daytona Beach FL 32119 or Halifax-Hospice of Volusia Flagler 3800 Woodbriar Trail Port Orange FL 32129.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com