Obituary of Kenneth John Foriska

MARGATE, FL & MT. PLEASANT, PA Kenneth J. Foriska, of Margate, FL and Mt. Pleasant, PA died Monday, October 28, 2013, in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg. Mr. Foriska was born June 24, 1951, in Mt. Pleasant, a son of the late Stephen and Irene (Smithnosky) Foriska. Ken was a 1969 graduate of Mt. Pleasant Area High School. He attended Marietta College in Ohio where he played basketball. Ken graduated from California University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor's degree in math education in 1973. Upon graduation, he moved to Fort Lauderdale to join the Broward County school system as a secondary math teacher, and he remained in that school system as a dedicated and respected math teacher for 30 years until his retirement in 2004. A happily retired 'snow bird', Ken maintained residency in both Mt. Pleasant and Margate, Fl. He loved warm weather and sunshine, and enjoyed reading and following sports of every kind. Above all else, he loved his family and looked forward to every June when he would make the drive back to his hometown to spend the summer with his siblings and their families. He looked forward to every family gathering and loved to laugh. He was an exercise fanatic and remained very fit and active until he suffered a massive stroke in March of this year while in Florida. Even after a second stroke, he maintained a positive outlook and was working hard to recover. He was happy to be transferred to Pennsylvania for his rehabilitative care and enjoyed hearing from his former Mt. Pleasant classmates and friends. Several individuals showed extraordinary devotion to him with regular visits and contact. The family wants to thank Lisa Bell of Florida, a former colleague and dear friend, who kept up Ken's care and spirits for months until he could be moved closer to his family. The family also wants to acknowledge Ken's cousin, John Kozak of Mt. Pleasant, for his frequent drop-ins that helped the immediate family in their daily visits to brighten Ken's long days at Westmoreland Manor. Ken's outlook and will to live were an inspiration to his family and friends, and his family and friends were a source of energy and motivation until complications from pneumonia became too much for him to overcome. Ken will be deeply missed by his siblings: Judith Foriska Senoski and her husband Walter of Mt. Pleasant; Bill Foriska and his wife Dee of Greensburg; and Terry Foriska and his wife Anita of Unity Township. He is also survived by his nieces: Kristin Foriska Rehm of Abingdon, Md.; Kourtney Foriska of Lower Burrell; and Susan Gera and her husband John Paul of Greensburg; and great-niece Isabella Gera and great-nephew John-Paul Gera of Greensburg. Also surviving are an aunt, Mary Smitley of New Jersey; numerous cousins; and a number of close friends including Mary Tychesen of Florida whose friendship he truly valued. Family and friends will be received Friday 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 Saturday at 11:30AM in the funeral home followed by Kens 12:00 PM Funeral Mass in Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary RC Church, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. A parish wake service will be held in the funeral home Friday at 3PM, and a rosary will be recited by the Visitation Rosary Altar Society immediately after the wake service. Interment will be in the Visitation Parish Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. The family also wishes to acknowledge the 3rd floor nursing staff at Excela Health-Westmoreland for their excellent care and compassion during Ken's final days. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 740 Walnut St., Mt. Pleasant, PA, 15666, In memory of Kenneth J. Foriska. To offer an online condolence, please visit our website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com