Obituary: John J. Marinko, Sr., age 81

John J. Marinko, Sr., age 81, longtime resident of Milford and beloved husband to Dorothy Visconti Marinko, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2012 at the VA Hospital in West Haven. 

Born in Bridgeport on December 25, 1930, he was the son of the late John and Elizabeth Nazdam Marinko. John served with pride and honor in the US Army during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, he was a drill press operator with Dresser Industry. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Stratford and volunteered as a cub master for the Boy Scouts for eight years. 

John was an avid country western dancer, played at the casino and enjoyed traveling the US, especially visiting Las Vegas, with his wife Dorothy. A devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, John will be greatly missed. 

In addition to his wife, Dorothy of 57 years, he is survived by his children, Debra Rogers and her husband George, Donna Bakshys and her husband Gary, all of Milford and John J. Marinko, Jr. and his wife Debra of SC, two grandchildren, Wayne Cole and his wife Lauren and George Bakshys, a cherished great grandson, Nathan Cole and also a sister Jenny Sinko and her husband George of FL and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Joseph and Albert.

A Prayer Service will be held on Monday, August 6th at 11:00 am at the followed by interment at King’ Highway Cemetery, Milford. Friends and family may call on Sunday, August 5th from 4 to 7 pm at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT 06460. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Vitas Foundation, 99 Hawley Lane, Ste 1204, Stratford, CT 06614. 

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Vitas and the VA Hospital for their kindness and compassion in caring for John during this difficult time.