EternalMemory

John Sidoriak, Sr., 88, of Cary, North Carolina and formerly of Deerfield Beach, FL, South Tamaqua, PA and Lake Hauto, PA died on Saturday, August 27, 2016 in Raleigh, NC. He was the husband of Eleanor (nee Hawranick) Sidoriak to whom he was married 48 years. Eleanor first saw John when she was 10 years old and said "I'm going to marry him." That premonition became reality 20 years later. Over the years, the couple enjoyed countless games of pinochle with friends, fun picnics, family reunions, and being each other's best friend every day. Born in Coaldale, PA on April 16, 1928, John was a son of the late Dimitri "Metro" and Mary (nee Herbut) Sidoriak. A 1945 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he served in the Army during the Korean War. John worked as a lab technician for the Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds, PA for 35 years. He was a member of St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church, Coaldale; the Federated Russian Orthodox Club, Coaldale, and the Russian Friendly Club, Coaldale. John was a skillful bowler, golfer, and dart thrower. As his boys grew older, he switched his focus to family trips all over the East Coast, venturing outdoors as much as possible, and being the boys' biggest supporter in all of their sporting and scholastic activities, helping along the way. As John grew older and less mobile, his energy went into growing plants, going out to penny parlors, and scooping ice cream for his bride and himself every night. He enjoyed listening to boxing on the radio as a child (was a big Joe Louis fan) and continued to watch the sport through the years no matter who was fighting. John's kind heart, endless love, and infinite forgiveness will be a lasting legacy for his family to treasure and attempt to emulate throughout all of their lives. Surviving him are his wife, Eleanor; sons, John Sidoriak, Jr. and his wife Barbara (nee Comisac) of Wilmington, DE and Theodore Sidoriak and his wife, Susan (nee Chickilly) of Collegeville, PA; grandchildren, Dominique, Ivan, Greer Galena, Emma and Magdalene; sisters, Marie Hefflefinger of Myerstown, PA and Olga Sidoriak of Coaldale; and several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by brother, Michael Sidoriak; infant brothers, Walter Sidoriak and Nicholas Sidoriak; infant sister, Antoinette Sidoriak; stepbrother, Basil Kuchar; stepsisters, Nancy Maresca and Ann Carvelho, and infant stepsister, Anna Kuchar. Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 1 in St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church, First & Phillips Streets, Coaldale with The Very Rev. Paul Ropitsky officiating. Interment in Sky View Memorial Park, Hometown, PA will follow services. Call 6-8 PM on Wednesday, August 31 and 9-10 AM on Thursday, September 1 in the church. Parastas will be held at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 31 in the church. Memorials in John's name may be made to St. Mary Russian Orthodox Church, 217 First Street, Coaldale, PA 18218. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, PA.