Dr. L Folk

Dr. John L Folk, 70, of Rochester, NY passed away from complications resulting from Front Temporal Dementia on November 10, 2021. His forever sweetheart, Mary was with him. "My heart, your heart; never apart", were the departing words he heard.

John was born in Frostburg, MD to the late Rhoda and Ceil Folk. He was also pre- deceased by his loving Aunt Gladys.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Zawieski and his beloved cat Oliver. He is also survived by his brother Ronald (Dale) and his spouse, Irene and many nieces and nephews.

John graduated from Beall High School in 1968 with two best buddies that he remained in close communication. He graduated from the University of Maryland, Collège Park in 1973 with a B.S. Microbiology John then enrolled in the National Chiropractic College in Lombard IL graduating 1977with a BS in Human Biology and in 1978 as Valedictorian with a Doctorate in Chiropractic. It was while at the National Chiropractic College that he made three dear friendships that have endured the ages.

John opened his practice in Cromwell, CT and a second office in New London, CT. He semi- retired in 2003 after closing his practices in CT. He continued to practicing at colleagues' offices during their periods of vacations for many years.

John had many passions in life that he enjoyed, but family was of the utmost importance to him. His love of animals was very evidently displayed to his cat, Thursday. John met Mary through a friend, she was won over by John's love for Thursday and his patient, kind, quiet and gentle manner and he loved her cat, Pumpkin. In 2004, he married the love of his life, Mary on the beach at Sullivan's Island SC and remained in Mount Pleasant, SC for 2 years. Moving to Wilmington NC in 2006, where they enjoyed golf, bird watching, relaxing at home and on the beach. He was an avid baseball fan of the Orioles and of fan college sports, as long as it included the Terp's.

John loved music and what start out as a part-time job in the music department at Barnes & Noble became a full job as the Music Manager for ten years. He developed regular clients who came to know him for his knowledge of music. John loved playing guitar for his favorite fans, Mary and the cats. They enjoyed weekends together of guitar music and singing. John was one of Mary's grandest supporters of her business and encouraged her to accept new business that required travel all over the United States. He was welcomed on all trips he was content to be a stay at home "kitty-dad". John was a dedicated runner and faithfully ran 4 miles daily in all types of weather for over 30 years. John participated in many small marathons in CT, NC and SC.

In 2014 John decided to pursue a degree in animal chiropractic and to work with a local veterinarian who was also a good friend and supporter of this next venture. He tried on two separate attempts to attain this goal, but it escaped him and he knew something was wrong. He started neurological testing in the fall of 2015. The devastating diagnosis in January 2016 was, Front Temporal Dementia with Primary Progressive Aphasia. Being a medical professional, he understood the prognoisis and fought a hard battle for 3 years to remain independent, including his running program until he could only walk the route around their community. In 2019 he was admitted to a nursing home in Rochester, NY while awaiting to be admitted to a University of Rochester facility where he remained until his death.

Due to Covid and the ever-changing retrictions a celebration of John's life will be held in 2022. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Options for Animals, College of Animal Chiropractic or University of Rochester Hospice program.