God smiled early Tuesday morning as a true gentleman was welcomed to heaven. John Pruchnicki was a gentle man that loved life and who wasn"t afraid to show his emotions or sensitivity. In his 99 years, he experienced life in a way most of us never will.
John was born to John and Victoria Pruchnicki on March 6th, 1925. His siblings were Joe, Josie, Julie, Mary, Al, George, Florence,, Anne, and Edward. John attended East Tech high school in Cleveland, Ohio until he turned 18 in March of 1943. Uncle Sam called, and by July of 1943, he became a soldier in the United States Army.
John was a member of B Battery Gun Battalion 143 AAA. He was trained as a Ground Aircraft Observer, Radar Height Finder, and became a member of the Bazooka Recognizance Team.
John spent time in France, Belgium, Italy, and Germany. He made many relationships with fellow soldiers that lasted a lifetime.
In July of 2023, at the age of 98, John was blessed to participate in the Dream Flight. He got to ride in a WWI airplane that was used to train WWII pilots and fly all over Medina ,Ohio.
In October of 2023, John enjoyed the Honor Flight to Washington DC. Veterans from all over America shared the experience of visiting all the Military Monuments. John and another WWII vet were honored to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
In 1947, John's life changed forever when he met the love of his life, Theresa, at her next door neighbor's wedding. They were married on May 14, 1949, a love story that lasted 74 years. They spent 64 years living in Garfield Hts and were members of St. Monica's parish.
John worked for 30 years at North American Manufacturing, a combustion engineering company. He loved spending time with his family, listening and dancing to polka music, playing pinochle, working in his garden, taking care of his roses and plants, and just tinkering around with his creative juices. John enjoyed all sports, but especially baseball.
John was blessed to enjoy his grandchildren for over 40 years. The great grandchildren always brought him true happiness. . From doing the blessings at their weddings, to simply just making them laugh; Grandpa always brought them a smile.
John's knack of telling jokes was a family treat. Laughing before saying the punchline or simply forgetting it, was the norm. His reaction and delayed laugh was priceless.
John played many roles in his 99 years. As a husband, son, brother, father, uncle, grandpa, great grandpa, neighbor and friend; he inspired us all. Our loss is Heaven's gain.
John will be deeply missed by his son's Ken (Kathy,) Ron (Susanne,) his grandchildren Kerri Carmichael (Jack,) Eric (Heather,) Kristyn Hivick (Paul,) and Scott (Shawna,) his great grandchildren Anna,Scarlett, Lucy, Harper, Hudson,Maddie,Hannah,and all of his family and friends. A special thanks to the nurses and aides of the Western Reserve and Crossroads for their dedication and care.
Services will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Monica Church. The family will receive friends on Friday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at Vito-Nero Funeral Home 6130 Turney Rd. Garfield Hts., OH
In lieu of flowers the family suggest Joining Walter's Warriors in Cancer Battle by making a donation to help a very special little boy and his family.
https://gofund.me/7b9590bc
