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John Socotch Obituary
ARCADIA, FL – John J. Socotch, age 89 passed away on Monday May 12, at the VA Nursing facility in Port Charlotte FL. John and his wife Bernice Buckley retired and lived in Arcadia Florida for the last 16 years. He was an avid reader and retained all the information he read. He was also a master at making pirohi's.
John at age 20, was a torpedo man on the USS Barbero (SS-317) in Fremantle, Australia WWII. The sub sailed to the South China Sea and into World War II. He was born in Moon Run, PA, a hard-scrabble coal town a few miles outside of Pittsburg. He had never been to sea or seen a submarine until he joined the Navy. He was discharged in 1946 and got a job working at what was then Nelson Stud in Lorain. John and family left Lorain and moved to Michigan in 1966. He worked as foreman in a machine shop until he retired.
John is survived by his wife Bernice, his daughters Linda Smith (Jim), & Cindy Thomas; sons Brad (Amanda), Doug (Coleen), John (Diane), Roger (Elise); grandchildren Amanda, Brianna, Spencer, Stephanie, Angela & Richard; great grandchildren Abbey & Nathan. Sisters Margaret Dostall & Ann Lehman (Glen) and many nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son Richard.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Socotch
2 Entries
Raymond Fritz
August 13, 2014
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI) and to Bernice, Linda (Jim), Cindy, Brad (Amanda), Doug (Coleen), John (Diane), Roger (Elise), and all of John's family and friends, we offer our sincere condolences in this time of loss and mourning. Our prayer is that God will bless you with peace, comfort you, and heal your broken hearts. We are especially thankful for John's courageous service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service during WWII on the USS Barbero SS-317. To our “Brother of the Phin” we say … "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country."
So, heavenly Father add his name to the roll
Of our departed shipmates still on patrol.
Let them know that we who survive
Will always keep their memories alive.
Bless those who serve beneath the deep,
Through lonely hours their vigil keep.
May peace their mission ever be!
Protect each one, we ask of Thee.
Bless those at home who wait and pray
For their return by night and day.
John Joseph Socotch, TM3(SS), US Navy, Now on Eternal Patrol.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
His record is now posted online in the Eternal Patrol file on the USSVI website.
Rev. Ray Fritz, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.
Susan Socotch
May 27, 2014
Aunt Bea, Linda, Johnny Joe, Roger, and Cindy.....I'm deeply saddened by Uncle John's passing. But I'm also filled with big joy believing that Uncle John is reunited with Rick, Gramma Emma, Grandpa Nick, Aunt Mary, his big brother and best buddy (my Dad) Bill, and his next best buddy Uncle Junior..... And the rest of our Family who have been waiting for his arrival!!! I can only imagine that they're having one hell of a great Family reunion!!! Know that I'm thinking of all of you and hugging you with Love across the miles. Love.....Susie Socotch
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