John Suskawicz

John P. Suskawicz 1921 - 2011 HINSDALE, NH John Paul Suskawicz, 90, a longtime resident of Hinsdale, passed away at home on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, following an extended illness. John was born on May 25, 1921, in Hempstead, New York (Long Island), son of Paul and Mary (Poly) Suskawicz who immigrated to the United States from Russia. As a teenager during the Depression, John worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and traveled around the country working on construction projects. One CCC project he worked on was the Surry Dam in New Hampshire. He enjoyed the sport of boxing and participated in the Golden Gloves Tournament at Madison Square Garden in NYC. John was a member of The Greatest Generation and proudly served in the Navy during World War II. Stationed in the South Pacific, his patriotism would flourish as he fought for his country and freedom. He would proudly fly the American flag every day on his front lawn and steadfastly only purchase American-made products and automobiles. John was a talented artist and, after the war, received a scholarship to attend the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, Mass. A marriage and family delayed his artistic pursuits but he continued to paint throughout his life, becoming well known for his paintings of local covered bridges and historic buildings. John worked for many years at the Hinsdale Paper Mill and then as a pressman at the Book Press in Brattleboro, Vt. He became a skilled gardener and produced a bountiful vegetable garden each year, known especially for his horseradish, fiddleheads, gooseberries and special blue corn. John participated in the Brattleboro Farmer's Market for many years. He also created a Christmas Tree Farm and frequently donated Christmas trees during the holidays to families who were less fortunate. Throughout his life he was a lover of nature and animals, always having dogs and cats as pets, and thrilling in the frequent sightings on his rural property of birds, deer, turkeys and foxes. John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Felicia (Matuszewski) Suskawicz; daughters, Janice Nichols of Westbrook, Maine, and Donna Suskawicz of Boston, Mass., grandchildren, Amanda, Jessica and Andrew, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers, Paul, Jr., Alexander and Ignatius Suskawicz, and a sister, Ann Donley. FUNERAL NOTICE: Graveside Committal Rites with full military honors will be conducted by the Rev. Steve Kucharski on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hinsdale. Memorial contributions may be made in John's honor to the Brigham House/Zola Center for Persons with Disabilities, 20 Hartford Street, Newton, MA 02461. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME, INC.