John (Jack) F. Semenko

John F. (Jack) Semenko, born July 6, 1927 in Mt. Pleasant, PA, transitioned into the arms of his Lord surrounded by his family on December 15, 2019.  Son of the late Peter and Mary (Molchan) Semenko, Jack was a 1944 Graduate of South Huntingdon High School and attended Penn State for one semester before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1945.  He served aboard the USS Colonial in the South Pacific during WWII. 

Jack’s passion was flying, and he had a long and successful career in Pittsburgh as Captain, Pilot Base Manager, Regional Director and, eventually, Chief Pilot of Flying for USAir.  He felt very privileged to do something he loved for so many years.

Preceding him in death besides his parents were his son Michael (an Orthodox priest) and sister Dorothy.  He is survived by his loving wife, Kathryn, of 71 years,  his triplet granddaughters whom he loved dearly, Melissa (Jeffrey) Matrazzo, Stephanie (Kenneth) Lauffer, Kristin (Christopher) Shay,  3 lovely great-granddaughters, Nadine and Tessa Lauffer, and Lily Matrazzo, beloved sister MaryLou (Jack) Ostroski,  daughter-in-law Sharon, several much-loved nieces and nephews, and many loyal friends. 

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Ambridge where he served as board member and president for several years.  He was also a member of the USAirways Soaring Eagles, Quiet Birdmen, a lifetime member of the Yukon Volunteer Fire Dept, the V.F.W., American Legion, and the Airline Pilots Association. He faithfully volunteered his time weekly at his much-loved Mcguire Memorial for over 10 years. He was an avid sportsman and made numerous hunting and fishing trips out West and to Canada and Alaska.  He was also a member of the Kinzua Fish and Wildlife Conservation Organization. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Visitations will be held on Friday from 2 until time of Parastas at 7:30 P.M. in the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, PA 15003 from where translation of church will take place at 8 P.M.  Family and friends are invited to attend a  funeral service on Saturday at 10 A.M. in the St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, 450 Glenwood Drive, Ambridge, with Rev. Father Vincent Dranginis officiating.  Interment will follow in the Resurrection Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Good Samaritan Hospice Heritage Valley in Beaver for their loving and dedicated care during Jack’s final weeks of life, and also his faithful priest, Father Vincent, for his time and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his home church St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Mcguire Memorial Home (2119 Mercer Rd, New Brighton 15066), Good Samaritan Hospice Heritage Valley Beaver Unit (1000 Dutch Ridge Rd 4th floor, Beaver, PA 15009), or a church of your choice.

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