Alex Hewko Jr.

Alex Hewko Obituary

Alex Hewko Jr.
Alex Hewko Jr., 90, of Jupiter, Fla. and Hatboro, Pa. passed away on May 28, 2009. Mr. Hewko attended Northampton Area High School as one of the Konkrete Kids. Mr. Hewko was a decorated World War II Navy pilot, who served in the Pacific Theater, where he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He and his four brothers were the subjects of an Emmy nominated military documentary and cover story published by USA Today newspaper on the Memorial Day after 9-11, broadcast by ABC TV News, and featured on the History Channel. He had a stellar career at the Aviation Supply Office, Philadelphia as the program director of the Navy P3 Orion aircraft, at the Lockheed Skunkworks, and in the private sector for several aeronautics and space related corporations. Mr. Hewko was involved in secret missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He also played baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization and football with the Jacksonville NAS. Mr. Hewko also worked as a college sports umpire and referee. His life impacted thousands. Survivors: He is survived by his wife Barbara (Miller); sons, Jon Hewko and Bunny of Delran, N.J.; Eric Hewko and Vanessa of North Palm Beach, Fla.; Alex Hewko of Safety Harbor, Fla.; Robert Hewko of Miami Beach, Fla.; his grandchildren, Colin Hewko, Katie Hewko, Adam Hewko, April Hewko, Heather Hewko, Hillary Hewko ; his two brothers, Wassyl and John, and sister, Stephanie of Northampton.; He was predeceased by brothers, Peter and Ben, and sisters, Olga, Mary, and Pauline. He was the son of Aksenty and Anna Hewko of Northampton. Services: Relatives and friends are invited to his memorial celebration at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in Oceanview Methodist Church, 701 Ocean Drive, Juno Beach, Fla. 33408. To be followed by services at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7, Highway 441, Lake Worth, Fla. 33449. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please send donations to VA Medical Center, c/o Alex Hewko 8019, West Palm VA Medical Center, 7305 N. Military (135), West Palm Beach, FL 33410.

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Published by Morning Call on Jun. 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Alex Hewko

8 Entries

Hillary Hewko

July 3, 2009

I LOVE YOU POP POP <3
im watching you
ya tebe yubu <3

Barbara Pordan

June 20, 2009

To Alex's family and friends -

Please accept the sincere condolences of my husband and I on Alex's passing.

My sister Frances is the widow of Alex’s brother, Ben. The brothers had such a stirring military past, and it was wonderful to see their stories recounted in the USA Today article—a fitting tribute to five of our country’s military heroes. We are all so very proud of all of them.

May fond memories of joyful times help alleviate your grief. Know that is in good company, with other family members: his parents, Olga, Pauline, Mary, Ben, and Peter. God bless you all, and give you comfort and peace.

Barbara Pordan

Jay Haddock

June 13, 2009

I wanted to thank the entire Hewko family for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of Alex Hewko’s ceremony. My self and 4 other members of Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16) were honored to perform the P-3 flyover during your Alx Hewko's ceremony. After researching this amazing American hero, I truly feel that this flight may have been the most rewarding flight I have ever experienced in the Navy. And thanks to Alex, I was able to perform it in a P-3. I am very sorry for your lose and hope you can smile as you reflect on how wonderful a man he was and is. The United States Navy salutes you.
Very respectfully,
LT Jay Haddock

Freda Bracci

June 10, 2009

My deepest condolences on the loss of your father, Alex. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Raymond Melee

June 8, 2009

Eric, Al, and Rob- On behalf of Danny Gadarian please accept our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Dad. No words can begin to beguile the sense of loss that you feel. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.

Always-
Ray Melee

Jim Phillips

June 8, 2009

Eric, Al, and Rob,

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. I remember meeting him in Gainesville when he and your mom would come to visit everyone at UF. He was a great guy and was so proud of you guys!

My father died last year. Your Dad will be in your heart forever. He is your "real hero"!

You're all in my thoughts and prayers at this time.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Phillips

Carol Meyers

June 7, 2009

Dear Aunt Barb, Jon, Bunny, Eric, Vanessa, Alex, Rob, Colin, Katie, Adam, April, Heather, and Hillary,

We are so sorry for the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. It's just so hard to believe he's not with us anymore. Being the oldest son in the family, he was always looked up to as the head of the Hewko clan.

We know what you're going through right now, as it was so hard going through it with my dad too. You just have to keep remembering all the good times and great memories you have of "Uncle Al" over all your years. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of my dad either. Just knowing that the family is together again up there seems to make it a little easier.

Just know that he'll always be watching over you all and will always be a part of you too.

You're all in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. May all your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead.

Love to all of you,

Carol, Jack, Matt & Tyler Meyers

Alan Hewko

June 4, 2009

To: Aunt Barbara
Alex, Eric/Vanessa, Jon Scott/Bunny, Robbie
and the grandchildren:
Adam, April, Colin, Heather, Hillary, and Katie

My thoughts are with you as you say Goodbye to
your Husband...
your Father...
your Grandfather...
your Friend...

I understand that sense of numbness,
of pondering and reflecting a great many decades of time and memories.

There is grief.

There is sadness.

There are tears.

But there should also be some warm smiles at good memories of your time with him from the past. For indeed, all of us are who we are inside -not from the present- but from our collective past and the people who shaped it.

You may find in the coming days and weeks and even months, that sometimes from out of no-where, hard pain of 'missing' comes and you find yourself with a vast sense of loss and sadness.

You may also find some task you are doing at the moment brings an un-expected happy memory of him and a smile to your eyes.

My view is that the pain is simply a reflection of how much a person is missed; and thus a positive and not a negative.

As I am sure you have already done -
but draw strength and solice from each other.

There will always be a piece of him inside your soul.

God Bless

Very warmest,
Alan Hewko