Obituary: John Theophane Suich, 94

John Theophane Suich age 94, of Stratford beloved husband of the late Mary Ursaki Suich passed away peacefully on August 15, 2013 in Bridgeport Hospital with his loving family by his side.

Mr. Suich was born in Jenkins, KY on October 2, 1918 to the late Stephen and Anna Nemeth Szucs who were both born in Hungary. The family moved to Bridgeport around 1925 where John graduated from Bassick High School.

He served in the National Guard from 1940 to 1941 in the 242nd Coastal Artillery serving in Trinidad for 18 months. He was then drafted late in 1941 and served until 1945 as Technician 4th Grade in the Third Army 135th Engineers and 20th Corps under General Patton as a telegrapher in the European Theater of Operations.

In 1944 John married Mary Rosalie Ursaki and moved to Stratford in 1948. They moved into their home that John built while working full time for the Southern Connecticut Gas Company formerly the Bridgeport Gas Company. He worked for the Gas Company for 35 years as a Technician 1st Grade/Lead Man and retired in 1981. He was a member of Local Union #12298 and president of the union from 1959 to 1960, during that time he started the sponsorship of two Korean children, Mary and Peter, through the Maryknoll Missionaries. The sponsorship continued for 18 years.

John played semi-pro football in his youth with the Bridgeport Dragons for two years and they won more or less all of their games. They were then asked to join the Westerns and played for them for 2 years. Later, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Fairfield and Trout Unlimited for many years.

He was an avid fly fisherman and traveled with his wife to New Zealand after retirement to enjoy fishing the rivers and streams. John and Mary traveled extensively in Europe, New Zealand, Canada, Hawaii and Alaska and often to Las Vegas. There were also many family vacations spent at a pond in Croyden, NH.

He was known as a loving husband and family man and a generous person with an optimistic outlook. He also had a great sense of humor and lifelong curiosity about astronomy which he read about in depth.

John is survived by two sons Gerard Suich and wife Carol Williams of Vershire, VT and Douglas Suich of Stratford, one daughter Sandra Suich and husband Thomas A. Sullivan of Boston, MA, two grandchildren Gilliann Szucs and Wyatt Suich, one brother Charles (Bill) Suich of Florida, one sister Theresa Mojcik and husband Michael of Stratford and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his beloved wife, John was also predeceased by three brothers Stephen Jr., Frank and Joseph and three sisters Mary Fekete, Anna Reves and Julia Zawadzki.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday August 22, 2013 at 9 a.m. in the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home, 2220 Main St., Stratford and at 10 a.m. in the Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Ave., Stratford where a Mass of Christian Buiral will be celebrated by Rev. Andrew G. Marus.

Interment will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery Bridgeport. Friends may call at the Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4 – 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who so desire may contribute to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

Obituary courtesy of Galello-Luchansky Funeral Home.