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John Hrankowski Obituary
Greece: March 22, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Natalie-Hrankowski; son, David P. Hrankowski; sister, Mary Ann (Donald) Weather; brother, Robert (Patricia) Hrankowski; in-laws, Matthew (Livia) Natalie; beloved nieces and nephews; faithful pup "Baci". John was a survivor of the assault on the U.S.S. Liberty, and a recipient of the Purple Heart. Anyone who inquired John told the story of the attack on the U.S.S. Liberty and considered all he met his friend. A highlight of his life was the dedication on 6/12/2010 of a Memorial Monument at Ontario Beach Park for the Ship and crew sponsored by the VFW Healy Post. He was a life member of the Vietnam Veteran Chapter 20 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Thomas Healy Post 16, Liberty Veterans Association and the Knights of Columbus Cardinal Slipyj Council #10949. John remained faithful to his church, family, with a special devotion to Blessed Pope John Paul II. John retired from the Monroe County Sheriff Office in 1989 Courts Division.
The family will receive friends on Thursday 9:30 AM at the lower level of St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Church, where his Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 10:30 AM. Special gratitude to his great physicians; Drs. Tim Mathew, David Cheeran, Stephen Ettinghausen, Paul Bernstein, G. Oleyourryk, James Maxwell, John Phelan and Thomas Arnone. Donations may be made to St. Josaphat's Church or a charity of your choice in his memory. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Hrankowski
Joe Palermo
March 17, 2025
Fourteen years has not erased your memory John; I think of you often. You were a good neighbor and a great Brueggers coffee buddy.
Mike Washington
March 17, 2024
I can still hear his voice, and more importantly, I can still hear his laughter. Miss you, my friend.
bruno barsoum
March 17, 2023
An unheralded American hero. But for the grace of God.USN June 8,1967
bruno barsoum
March 17, 2021
We will carry the torch for USS Liberty,June 8,1967.RIP
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Don Pageler
April 28, 2020
It has now been over 9 years. I miss both my wife Eva and John. How fortunate I am to have had both of them in my life. My love to Mary Ann and David.
Don
bruno barsoum
March 17, 2020
We will carry on...
Jim & Carol Grant
March 29, 2011
What more can be said. John was our friend. There is nothing that can be said here that can describe how important John was in our life. He was the beacon that the crew followed while trying to pull out the truth about the Liberty attack. We were so proud to build the library here in Grafton and have John be such an important part of the effort. We will not say goodbye John, just see you in the future. Make sure you have some of those old movies we each liked.
Love and miss you,
Jim & Carol Grant Grafton,Wi.
Delinda Hanley
March 28, 2011
Mary Ann, David and the USS Liberty family,
We have all lost a good friend and great hero. I'll never forget first meeting John when he visited this office and told his story. I had read about Israel's astounding assault on an American ship but hearing about it from this proud gentle patriot made it especially moving. We've lost a great voice for all whose voices are ignored, as well as a selfless friend. I thank God I got to talk to him the day before he died but I'm sad we didn't get up to visit John and you, Mary Ann, sooner. He was always a guiding voice for me as well as the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, and now he's a guiding star.
Tom Richardson Jr.
March 26, 2011
Anchors Away, My Friend...May you rest in peace. I know you're making the angels around you smile because you had a way of doing that everytime you met someone new. May God bless your family and friends and all who remember you. You will be truly missed.
Jim McCrink
March 26, 2011
Mary Ann and family, my condolences. I never met John personally but spoke with him many times, always with great pleasure. John, may the good Lord be always by your side.
bruno barsoum
March 25, 2011
Rest in Peace.
Justice for Liberty
Peter
March 25, 2011
I interviewed John for our BBC film Dead in the Water and spent a very happy day with him at his home. His passion and anger for what happened to the USS Liberty came over vividly. I am very sad he has died so suddenly and at such a relatively young age. He must have been a great shipmate.
Peter Hounam
David Lewis
March 25, 2011
John, you were the greatest. Always fighting for Justice for the Liberty and never having an angry word for a survivor. In Heaven you'll find peace and remain an inspiration for those of us who remain to keep up the fight until Justice prevails
Joe Palermo
March 24, 2011
God's speed Ski; may you rest in peace my friend
NANCY WAHL-LAMB
March 24, 2011
JOHN, YOU CAN NOW JOIN YOUR SHIPMATES AND SAIL INTO CLEAR BLUE SKY AND SMOOTH WATERS. YOUR KIND SPIRIT AND WORDS WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN MY SOUL. THANK YOU
Jessie Marvin Lazeroff
March 24, 2011
Mary Ann and family,
I was greatly saddened to hear of John's passing. He was a man of true passion. He gave me a copy of the book about the USS Liberty, and he and other survivors did a book signing at Village Green Bookstore. This story still needs to be told.
You have my heartfelt sympathies. We all have lost a good man.
Jessie Marvin Lazeroff
Tricia Hrankowski
March 23, 2011
Uncle John,
Words can not express how much you meant to me. And I can't believe you are gone. You were such a special part of my life. I have the best childhood memories with you. From the visit to George Eastman house to HOCKEY, HOCKEY, HOCKEY! and everything in between. A piece of me is now missing. You were a kind gentle loving man, and I truly am proud to be your niece, and god-daughter. Give grandma the biggest hug and kiss from me and tell her all about Layla Rose. She would have loved her. Til we meet again. I love you! Always and forever in my heart, Tricia <3
March 23, 2011
Dear Mary Ann & David,
On behalf of RADM Clarence Hill, Jr. and RADM Merlin H. Staring, I send our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and all your family. John's warmth, kindness and love will always be a memory to be cherished by those of us who knew and loved him.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Pat Blue-Roushakes
Vienna, VA
Traci Underwood
March 23, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Hrankowskis'. I love them all dearly and know at this point there is nothing I can say to take away your pain. So sorry for your loss. The main man upstairs must have needed a special angel. Love you all, Bob, Pat, Trish, Rob and especially his wife Mary and son David. Kisses and hugs to all. God bless and if there is anything I can do let me know.
Love all
Traci Williams Underwood
March 23, 2011
MaryAnn and Family,
I am sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Gwen Dade
Don & Eva Pageler
March 23, 2011
On 2/11/11 I wrote John and email – “I want to thank you for your strength. Certainly you are my shipmate. But more than that you are a friend. You are a shining example of courage. A man I can trust. Thank you for being there for me. Miss you and can't wait to see you.”
John and Mary Ann are as good as friends as Eva and I have ever had. God Bless Mary Ann, David, Bob, and the rest of the family.
Pina Marsocci
March 23, 2011
Mary Ann and David,
I am so sorry and shocked to hear of John's passing. I am glad I had the chance to see him recently, even if it was in the hospital. His warmth and laughter made him a special person. He always had a smile and a story for me. He will be missed by those whose lives he touched
All my love,
March 23, 2011
Mary Ann and David, We are very sorry for your loss of John. It's been many years, but we have thought of all of you. You have our sympathy.
Joan and Chuck Muscolino
Michael Washington
March 23, 2011
We've lost one of the good ones. John was probably one of the nicest, down-to-earth guys I've ever met. Through all of the difficulties he endured for several decades, he always kept a smile for his friends and a sense of humor. He will be sorely missed.
Jerry Lamb
March 23, 2011
It was an Honor to have met and talked to you through VVA Chapter 20 and the dedication last year. May you Rest in Peace.
March 23, 2011
Dear Mary Ann,David,and family. Bev & I are so sorry to read about the passing of John my true warrior. I read the D&C from Florida every morning snd was saddened and shocked on his passing. John was a great guy and a true friend. His word was his bond and I will not forget him and his
hard work on all his missions. Our Deepest sympathy. Bev & Bill List Fl.
Bernie Giliberti
March 23, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the Hrankowski family.
March 23, 2011
Bob and family sorry for your loss, Lynne Stewart
SGT Rich Orsino
March 23, 2011
A grateful nation thanks you for your service with the U.S. Navy and the Monroe County Office of Sheriff.
Lollypop Farm
March 23, 2011
We are so sorry for your loss of John. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
March 23, 2011
On behalf of your fellow comrades of Thomas F. Healy Post 16 VFW we offer our sincere condolences to John's family, friends and fellow shipmates. John was a good friend and will be sorely missed. Rest easy my friend, the fight is over.
Mike Skowronski---Commander Post 16 VFW
Danielle Casper Parisot
March 23, 2011
You are a true hero. Your dedication to the the USS Liberty will never go unnoticed. May you rest peacefully and be with your crew. All my condolences.
Danielle Casper-Parisot
James R. King
March 23, 2011
It was with heavy heart I heard today of
Ski's passing. For those of us who were
honored to have met Ski and Mary Ann it
has been a great shock. I did not know
Ski well, but having met him at the re-
union of the LIBERTY survivors in Pens-
acola Beach several years ago and to
have kept in touch via email all these
years has been a blessing. Ski will be
sorely missed and my condolences and
prayers go out to Mary Ann and family.
Jim King and family (CTOC, Ret., USS OXFORD (AG-159/AGTR-1)/NavSecGruDet CinCUSNAVEUR {1967})
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