John Churey

John Churey, 98, passed away peacefully at Cayuga Medical Center Monday evening, August 28, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

John was born in Ithaca, NY on May 16, 1925.  In 1948 he married his wife Josephine Benedict. They were in their 75th year of marriage at the time of her passing last year.

Together they had five children, 15 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. They raised a home filled with love, faith, and great food. He was well-known for his barbecue chicken recipe. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and conservationist, passions he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He was a board member of the New York State Wildlife Federation and was involved in the repopulation of wild turkeys and sturgeons in New York State.  In addition he helped recolonize chestnut trees in the New York State forest. John was also proud of his Slovak roots and enjoyed various Slovak cuisines.

John was a daily communicant at Immaculate Conception and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Churches. He was a member of the Benedictine Order of the Divine Will. Also, he was a member and head usher of the Blue Army of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Washington, NJ. While ushering, he once caught Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta as she tripped. He and Josephine made many pilgrimages throughout the world.

John retired from Cornell University after 42 years in 1988. He was a proud veteran who protected us and served in the Navy as a gunner during World War II.

He is survived by his children, Ann Marie (Ron) Ceurvels, Teenie Valentino, Mary (Maurie) Luther, John (Julie) Churey, and Rose  Anne (Peter) Damian. and his grandchildren Brett, Heather, Brad (Ceurvels), Carl, Marie, Kathleen (Valentino), Brandan, Ian, Aaron, Maryanne (Luther), Jennifer,  Adam, Emily (Churey), Peter and Joseph (Damian) and many great grandchildren as well as his dear neighbors and friends.

He is predeceased by his spouse, Josephine, whom he joins in Heaven, his parents and siblings: Vasily and Anna (Restey) Churey, Andrew Churey, Mike Churey, Ann Churey, George Churey, Peter Churey, and Robert Churey, his Benedict family-in-laws, and his former son-in-law Michael Valentino. He is survived by his youngest brother-in-law, Francis Benedict, sister-in-law Barbara Benedict, and many nephews and nieces.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 113 N Geneva St., Ithaca followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations in his name to Immaculate Conception Church or St. Catherine of Siena Church, Birthright of Ithaca, or Smile Train.

Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Cayuga Medical Center and all who made his last days peaceful.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY. Online condolences may be made to John’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.