STANKO JOHN J. John "Jay" Stanko, 89, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2014, Robinson Township. He was born January 16, 1925, to Peter and Barbara (Slota) Stanko in Preston. He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Dolores "Doll" (White) Stanko; his six children, Sharon L. Martin (Max Gilbert) of Little Rock, Arkansas, John M. (Brenda) of Lexington, Kentucky, Debra A. Meyer (Raymond) of Pittsburgh, Gregory P. (Maryellen) of Carnegie, Keith C. (Tina) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lauren M. Stanko of Ross Township; 16 grandchildren, Brett, Jonathan, Shelley, John W., Justin, Adam, Virginia, Tonya, Ashley, Peter, Kathryn, Evan, Heather, Braden, Ryan and Rachel; and nine great- grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. A World War II veteran, John served our country as a Sergeant in the 405th Signal Company, 5th U.S. Army-Air Force, stationed in the South Pacific. His tour of duty included setting up communication lines preceding the troops' arrival, operating as a radio technician throughout the Philippine Islands and Japan. He was a long-time member of the V.F.W. Post 402. in 1952, John designed and built the family home in Robinson Township where he and Dolores raised their six children. John worked at Shenago Inc., Neville Island for 42 years and served as the President of the United Steelworkers Union for 16 years. During the 1970s, John, an avid inventor, acquired five U.S. patents. After his retirement, he pursued a new hobby, woodworking, where he won many awards and was quite prolific. Throughout his life, John fascinated many with his mechanical skills, building campers, trailers, and hydraulic log splitters, to name a few. He had a love of learning, creating, collecting, and building that few could rival, and instilled those qualities in his children. He also enjoyed fishing and travel. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Walter "Ludge" Stanko; four sisters, Mary Makar, Ann Blumling, Pauline Baron, and Elizabeth Zirkel. Family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. WEDNESDAY at McDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 334 Forest Grove Rd., Kennedy Twp., where services will be held 11 a.m. THURSDAY. Parastas 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening. John will be laid to rest in Mount Calvary Cemetery in McKees Rocks with Military Honors. Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
