1928
John
2008
John J. Hritsko
February 4, 1928 — August 24, 2008
Atty. John J. Hritsko, age 80, of Lorain, died on Sunday, August 24, 2008, at Community Health Partners HSC-West, Lorain, after a one year illness.
He was born on February 4, 1928, in Lorain, where he remained a life-long resident. He also had a winter residence in Naples, FL along with a summer cottage on Pelee Island, Canada, for 33 years.
He was a 1945-B graduate of Lorain High School. He then earned his undergraduate degree at Bowling Green State University, later graduating from Case Western Reserve University in 1954 with his Juris Doctorate in Law.
John served in the United States Army from April 1946 until September 1947, where he was assigned to General Douglas McArthur's Headquarters in Tokyo. During his enlistment, he earned the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal, Japan.
John was a practicing attorney in Lorain County from 1954 until his retirement in July of 2007, receiving a commendation from the Ohio State Bar Association for 50 years of service. During that time, he was the law director for the City of Lorain from January of 1966 until December of 1979, receiving a commendation from the City of Lorain for 14 years of Outstanding Public Service. He also served as an Assistant Prosecutor for Lorain City for 2 years, and was the first Chief Deputy and Referee for the Lorain County Probate Court.
John served as President of the Lorain Veterans Council for Civil Improvement in 1981 and 1982, being elected Veteran of the Year by the Council, in June of 1982. From 1984 until 1988, he was elected as Judge Advocate for the AMVETS, State of Ohio Department, receiving the Annual State Commanders Award in 1997 and 1998. He also held various offices on local, district, and state levels for the AMVETS. John was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 451, through whom he received a Voice of Democracy Award. He also served as the Post Commander and Judge Advocate for the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 38. Along with the VFW Post 451, he was also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20, the AMVETS , and the Lorain Elks Lodge Post 1301. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the United Polish Club, and the Polish American Citizens Club. He served as Grand Marshall for the Lorain International Festival Parade, from 1982 until 1991, and was the National Chairman of March of Dimes in 1966. He was also a volunteer for the Friends Program of the Lorain County Juvenile Court.
John was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter for over 50 years. He enjoyed playing tennis until this past year.
He is survived by his 2 daughters; Jolan M. (Pedro) Castillo and Mary Jo (Michael) Schmittgen, both of Lorain, his grandchildren; Melissa, Melanie, and Meredith Castillo, and Kurt and Kara Schmittgen, all of Lorain, his brother, Clarence, of Sebring, FL, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Joan E. (nee Guzik), on March 19, 2005, his mother, Mary (nee Merva), on July 13, 1978, and his father, John, on May 5, 1993.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 27, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm, in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria, Lorain, where prayers will be held the following morning at 9:30 am. A funeral mass will follow, at 10:00 am at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain. The Rev. Fr. Charles Henkle, OFM Conv., will officiate. Entombent will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, with full military honors provided by the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20.
Contributions in his memory may be made to, The Catholic Church of St. Peter, Scholarship Fund, 3501 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052.
He was born on February 4, 1928, in Lorain, where he remained a life-long resident. He also had a winter residence in Naples, FL along with a summer cottage on Pelee Island, Canada, for 33 years.
He was a 1945-B graduate of Lorain High School. He then earned his undergraduate degree at Bowling Green State University, later graduating from Case Western Reserve University in 1954 with his Juris Doctorate in Law.
John served in the United States Army from April 1946 until September 1947, where he was assigned to General Douglas McArthur's Headquarters in Tokyo. During his enlistment, he earned the WWII Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal, Japan.
John was a practicing attorney in Lorain County from 1954 until his retirement in July of 2007, receiving a commendation from the Ohio State Bar Association for 50 years of service. During that time, he was the law director for the City of Lorain from January of 1966 until December of 1979, receiving a commendation from the City of Lorain for 14 years of Outstanding Public Service. He also served as an Assistant Prosecutor for Lorain City for 2 years, and was the first Chief Deputy and Referee for the Lorain County Probate Court.
John served as President of the Lorain Veterans Council for Civil Improvement in 1981 and 1982, being elected Veteran of the Year by the Council, in June of 1982. From 1984 until 1988, he was elected as Judge Advocate for the AMVETS, State of Ohio Department, receiving the Annual State Commanders Award in 1997 and 1998. He also held various offices on local, district, and state levels for the AMVETS. John was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 451, through whom he received a Voice of Democracy Award. He also served as the Post Commander and Judge Advocate for the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 38. Along with the VFW Post 451, he was also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20, the AMVETS , and the Lorain Elks Lodge Post 1301. John was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the United Polish Club, and the Polish American Citizens Club. He served as Grand Marshall for the Lorain International Festival Parade, from 1982 until 1991, and was the National Chairman of March of Dimes in 1966. He was also a volunteer for the Friends Program of the Lorain County Juvenile Court.
John was a member of the Catholic Church of St. Peter for over 50 years. He enjoyed playing tennis until this past year.
He is survived by his 2 daughters; Jolan M. (Pedro) Castillo and Mary Jo (Michael) Schmittgen, both of Lorain, his grandchildren; Melissa, Melanie, and Meredith Castillo, and Kurt and Kara Schmittgen, all of Lorain, his brother, Clarence, of Sebring, FL, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Joan E. (nee Guzik), on March 19, 2005, his mother, Mary (nee Merva), on July 13, 1978, and his father, John, on May 5, 1993.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 27, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm, in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria, Lorain, where prayers will be held the following morning at 9:30 am. A funeral mass will follow, at 10:00 am at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain. The Rev. Fr. Charles Henkle, OFM Conv., will officiate. Entombent will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain, with full military honors provided by the Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20.
Contributions in his memory may be made to, The Catholic Church of St. Peter, Scholarship Fund, 3501 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44052.
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