John Paul Surak

John Paul was born on 4 May, 1922 to John M Surak (Born in Austria, died in Pa.) and Mary Stephania Shurgalla (Born 1888 in Prague, Slovakia and passed in 1955 in Pa)  Mary Stephania's father's name was Joseph Shurgalla.

John Paul Surak; Pictures and stories are coming from his loving, proud family.

John Paul Surak of Chino Valley, born to Stephen M. and Stephania M. (Shurgalla) Surak in Shamokin, Pa., May 4, 1922, went to his Lord on Jan. 25, 2009, in Prescott.

His FAMILY;  2009     John is survived by his wife of almost 65 years Bettie "Madge" (Hanson) Surak; sister Kay Zaleskie of Rochelle Park, N.J.; three children, Robert J. of Chino Valley and Diane J. Garbutt and Kathleen M. Parker, both of Riverside, Calif. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

John served in the U.S. Marine Corps after the attacks on Pearl Harbor in the 6th Marine Division in the Micronesia campaign in the Pacific during World War II from 1942 to 1945, earning a Purple Heart for injuries sustained on Okinawa.

http://www.ww2gyrene.org/spotlight_11.htm

After WWII - John returned to his wife Madge in Miami, Fla., began a study in electronics after the war and went to work for Douglas Aircraft Co. in California as an aerospace engineer, working on various NASA space programs until retiring after 29 years and moving to Yavapai County in 1979. He and Madge built and operated two restaurants in Chino Valley after their retirement. He instilled in his children and grandchildren his work ethic; love of his country and for travel all around the United States; and special food preparation. He was also a charter member and a Third Degree in the Knights of Columbus at St. Catherine Labouré.

John moved his family to Yavapai County in 1979. He and Madge built and operated two restaurants in Chino Valley after their retirement. He instilled in his children and grandchildren his work ethic; love of his country and for travel all around the United States; and special food preparation. He was also a charter member and a Third Degree in the Knights of Columbus at St. Catherine Labouré.

John was 86 Years of age when he passed in 2009 and resided in Chino Valley, (86323)  Yavapai County, near Prescott, AZ

*****  John Paul Surak of Chino Valley, born to Stephen M. and Stephania M. (Shurgalla) Surak in Shamokin, Pa., May 4, 1922, went to his Lord on Jan. 25, 2009, in Prescott.

John is survived by his wife of almost 65 years Bettie "Madge" (Hanson) Surak; sister Kay Zaleskie of Rochelle Park, N.J.; three children, Robert J. of Chino Valley and Diane J. Garbutt and Kathleen M. Parker, both of Riverside, Calif. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at St. Catherine Labouré Catholic Church in Chino Valley, Fr. Fred LaClaire CMF presiding.

John always had a special love for aircraft and flight from the time of his youth and now he flies with his Lord and the angels.
*****

Barbi Ennis Connolly  PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com  WWII Historical Researcher and freinds of the Family from Church in Chino Valley, AZ.