Obituary of Alexander Foriska

Hecla, Alexander J. "Coach" Foriska, age 83 of Hecla, PA, died Friday (06/24/2011) in Cedar's Hospice House, Monroeville, PA. Mr. Foriska was born October 17, 1927 in Mount Pleasant, PA, the son of the late Matthew and Mary Dzurik Foriska. He is a longtime member of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church of Mt. Pleasant, where he attended the Parish School. "Coach" completed his high school education in Hazel Park, MI. He had served in the United States Army from January of 1946 until his Honorable Discharge in May of 1947. He was employed as a Crane Operator for more than 30 years for the Chrysler Corp. in Warren, MI. Coach was a member of the Hecla Sportsman's Club. Mr. Foriska is survived by his loving family; his wife of 60 years, Katherine Dorothy Dzubak Foriska, his children; Katherine Odom and her husband Terrance of Rochester Hills, MI, Ellen Kuntz and her husband Rex of Orlando, FL, his grandchildren; Christy Parker (Jamie), Carin Slowik, Jason Odom, Jason Markey, Kelly Markey, Ashley Markey, Adrainne Merkling (Justin), and by his great grandchildren; Emma and Abigail Parker, Katherine Markey, Jamison and Cameron Merkling. Coach is also survived by his sister, Mildred (Honey) Kozak of Mt. Pleasant. In addition to his parents, Coach was preceded in death by his grandson, Ben Markey, by his brothers; John, Joseph, Andrew, Steve, Michael, Emil and William Foriska, his sister, Albina Forbes and by an Infant sister, Mary. Family and friends will be received Wednesday from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 pm at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant. A blessing service will be held on Thursday @9:30AM in the funeral home followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary RC Church, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment with full military rites accorded by the American Legion Post 446 will be in the Visitation Parish Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. A parish wake service will be held Wednesday @3PM in the funeral home. To send an online condolence, please log onto our website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com