John Hrustich (Zozzie), 91, of Endicott, New York, received his wings and peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 19, 2021. His loving wife of sixty six years, Anna, was at his bedside holding his hand and telling him how much she loved him. He is survived by the love of his life Anna; his children Deborah Hrustich, M.D. (Paul Osterdahl, M.D.), Julie Faughnan (Donald), John Hrustich (Nikki), Stephen Hrustich (Mary); his grandchildren Katie Osterdahl (Dustin), Paul Osterdahl, Jr. D.O. (Melissa Gott, D.O.), Jackie Osterdahl (Charles), Donnie Faughnan (Hannah), Patrick Faughnan, Greggie Faughnan, M.D. (Brittany), Jack Hrustich, Noah Hrustich, Stephen Hrustich, Grace Hrustich, and Alex Dilello (Kristin); great grandchildren Eleanor Rose who loved him to the moon and back and brought him such great joy over the last two years, and Althea Mae; and his younger brother Michael Hrustich. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Julia Hrustich, and his older brother George (Rooster).
After graduating from Union Endicott High School in 1948, he enlisted in the Navy and was drafted from the fleet to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating in 1954. He went on to serve in the Navy, the Air Force and the Air Force Reserves, retiring at the rank of Major in 1976. He also served as a Trustee in the Village of Endicott for two terms. John worked at IBM for twenty five years and retired as an Advisory Engineer in 1984 after spending three years in Boebligen, Germany where he and Anna traveled throughout Europe, including several trips to visit relatives in Czechoslovakia. He had several patents from his time at IBM. Education was of the utmost importance to him. While working full time, he continued his studies earning three Masters Degrees in various Engineering disciplines from Syracuse University and the University of Vermont.
The two most important things to John were his unwavering faith in God and the love of his family. We spent so many hours around the dining room table telling stories and jokes and his family was so blessed to have such wonderful memories of an amazing man. Golf was his passion and he spent many happy hours at Enjoie Golf Course with his golfing buddies. We truly believe that he is in heaven golfing with his buddies and Arnold Palmer. As he grew older, he loved having coffee at McDonald’s with his friends.
He was a lifetime member of SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Endicott.
A private funeral service was held and he was buried at Riverhurst Cemetery in Endicott. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date, to be announced by the family. If you wish, you may make a memorial contribution in John’s name to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY at 1100 East Genesee Street Syracuse, New York 13210.
We love you and we will miss your smile and your beautiful sparkling blue eyes, until we meet again.