In Memory of John Bishock

John Bishock, a long time palmateer and friend to many in our society, passed away on January 17, 2007 after a long struggle with cancer.

John was born in Rockland County, N.Y., and came to Sarasota in 1991 from Miami. He retired in 1992 as a tile and marble contractor and served in the Merchant Marine from 1953 to 1964. He earned a Master's degree in American Literature from the New School of Social Research and was a member of the Sarasota chapter of the International Palm Society, the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Society and of course, CFPACS. He was a Methodist.

He is survived by his wife Faith. John, who was 67 years old, has been described as having a wealth of knowledge about palms and being a pillar in the palm community by his fellow palm aficionados. Many a collector throughout the country and beyond have plants that were purchased from or given to them by John.

Dave Witt and Chuck Grieneisen, who knew John as a palm collector and friend, have contributed their remembrances of their friend to this memorial:

Every once in a while the phrase "larger than life" is used to describe someone. I believe that particular idiom was invented for John. My virginal encounter with him was selling palms at a chapter meeting side by side. At the time I likened myself as some sort of a "know it all" for palm cultivation. But the little fish (me) had entered the big pond for the 1st time. During the weekend I would be asked about this or that rare palm, most often I wouldn't have much to say. John would sometimes hear these exchanges, and pronounce (politely) in his matter of fact way "I've got several of those growing at my place". I would quickly exit stage left, leaving John to finish the story. After a while I just pointed at John whenever anyone approached with slightest bit of query to their face...

Read Dave Witt's complete remembrance here.

John Bishock was hard to describe. Possibly, if Ernest Hemingway was a palm nut it would be a fitting way to describe John. He was just so full of life and had a toughness about him. My last visit with him was just two and a half weeks before his untimely passing. He was taking chemotherapy, but was up and about around his pool. He even had all his hair. Even his hair was tough. That was why his passing was such a huge shock. He certainly was a man who lived life with a capital "L"...

Read Chuck Grieneisen's complete remembrance here.

Their sentiments reflect those of all who knew John...

His family asks that donations, in lieu of flowers, be sent to:

In his honor, threads at both the CFPACS's and the International Palm Society's on-line forums have been started by John's friends:

IPS

CFPACS