John Blaha, artist, dumpling maker, custodian and dishwasher, passed away peacefully at the University of Vermont Medical Center on June 4, 2026, at the age of 64. John was born in Ashtabula, Ohio; had been a member of the Ohio National Guard; attended Alfred College; and had been a resident of Burlington, Vt., for 40 years. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Blaha, of Willowick, Ohio, and will be missed by many.
John was a master bronze caster. He sold many ornaments through Frog Hollow and privately. His most popular creations were his frog door knockers, which decorate many homes in the Burlington area, but his masterpiece was the Five Spice dragon. John was employed at Conant Custom Brass , then as a dumpling maker and dim sum cook at Five Spice Café, and for the past 15 years worked as a custodian at Champlain College. But John was the rarest of all things, an honest man. He died knowing what his life had been, in what ways he had succeeded and in what ways he had failed, and he died at peace with himself.
Those who wish to honor John’s memory may do so by making a donation to the charity of their choice, with acknowledgements to be sent to josephgrand1947@gmail.com.
This article appears in June 24 • 2026.
I remember John as a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Geneva Ohio. He was an acolyte and helped teach me the duties when I was 8 years old. He was a few years older than me but always kind. May God Bless his Soul
John Patrick Blaha is a fine example for all to follow.
To Mother Dorothy & friends , we pass our humble condolences. Geneva, Ohio, Christ Episcopal Church, 66 S. Eagle St, Geneva, Ohio 44041.
John Patrick Blaha was a Godsent boy from tot to teen,
growing up in Ashtabula County, Ohio, attending Geneva Christ Episcopal Church) with Mother, training acolytes at age 11, moving toward Cleveland as a teen, till age 24 moving to Vermont. and proving to be extraordinarily gifted in bronze doorknobs & being a well-regarded citizen.
We thank whomever has/have been friends with
John in Vermont.