John Dwornick

John Arthur Dwornick of Norfolk, VA passed away surrounded by his loving family on November 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 67 years young.
John was born in Trenton, Michigan on December 27, 1957, to the late Veronica Elizabeth Sula and Arthur Gerald Dwornick, who established a loving and devoted family. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Bea; his sister, Annelise (Edward), and brothers Gerard (Kathleen), Daniel, Joseph (Becky), and James (Lois); three daughters, Trisha (Joe), Dora (Jonathan), and Manya; five sons, Tommy (Joanna), Frankie (Rachel), Kristopher (Danielle), Fred (Kiona), Chris (Katie); thirteen grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.
From an early age, John had a deep passion for sports. He played football throughout high school, where his determination and team spirit made him a natural leader. John's love for sports remained a constant joy. Loud, proud, and full of energy, he could always be found cheering on the Michigan Wolverines, the Detroit Lions and Red Wings. Saturday and Sunday game days were sacred, especially when Michigan played. Every time Michigan made it into the end zone John would break into the Wolverine fight song without hesitation. He also loved NASCAR and the thrill of high-speed races, embracing the excitement and adrenaline that came with every lap around the track.
Shortly after turning 18, he made the proud and courageous decision to join the United States Navy. For 20 honorable years, John faithfully served his country with dedication, discipline, and pride. His service was a cornerstone of his life, and he carried that sense of duty with him long after retiring. He spent 27 years working at Big Al's Mufflers & Brakes, where he guided and mentored countless mechanics in the mastery of vehicle system knowledge and repair. His knowledge of cars seemed endless, and he never hesitated to share what he knew to help others solve problems. If you spent enough time with John, you didn't just learn about cars, you learned how to fix them yourself.
John had a special way of teaching life skills-these lessons were usually direct, unforgettable, and a little nerve-wracking. Many of us learned to drive under his watchful eyes, and the stories all sound the same: on day one, you learned how to change a tire, and moments later you were merging onto the interstate whether you were ready or not. John believed in sink-or-swim learning, and as much as we complained at the time, we now cherish those lessons.
He wore many titles with pride: he was a true gentleman, a devoted husband, a loving son, a loyal brother, a father, a grandfather or Poppa, an uncle or Wujek, a mentor, and a friend. John's life was filled with loyalty, laughter, love, and lessons that will never be forgotten. His legacy lives on in the countless people he helped, taught, protected, and loved.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Road, Chesapeake VA 23320 on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 5345 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach VA 23462 at 11a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family and for additional information.