Thomas Michael Jurista, 85, of Silver Lake Township, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2019.
Born April 21, 1933 in Eatonville, Pennsylvania, Tom was the youngest of ten children Edward and Mary (Gajdica) Jurista. A 1951 graduate of Tunkhannock High School, Tom joined the United States Navy where he was one of the first to serve in the surface-to-air guided missile program. Tom worked for decades at IBM in Owego, Endicott, and Westover.
Tom was married to Mary Jane Lounsbery from 1962 until her passing in 1982. In 1985, Tom married the former Mary Jo Lawrence Zumbuhl.
Tom was predeceased by his sisters Antoinette Kristunas, Mary Kuffa, and Helen Sawicki Sharpe and his brothers Edward, Joseph, John, Michael, and Andrew.
He is survived by his wife Mary Jo; his brother George; his children James (MaryEllen) and Teresa (James Burczak); his stepchildren Joanna, August (Jennine), and Albert; grandchildren Russ, Rick, Paul, Genevieve, Alex, Austin, Lydia, Abigail, Anna, Carly, Amelia, Grace, Willem, and Audrey; and many special nieces and nephews. Tom treasured his extended family, and the Jurista farm on Miller Mountain was special to him.
Tom was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching his fields and trail cameras for wild creatures. He loved farming and animals, and could always be found working on his small farm. Tom was active in his community, he served as Silver Lake Township supervisor, and he was passionate about politics.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home, with Rev. Rick Rosenkrans of Silver Lake Community Church officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City, NY. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. prior to the service.
Donations in Tom's memory can be made to the Silver Lake Vol. Fire Dept. & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 133, Brackney, PA 18812.
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