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Thomas Jurista Obituary
Silver Lake Township - 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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Jurista
Sponsored by the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.
6 Entries
Harold (Pete) Ward
February 8, 2019
I knew Tom many years when we worked at IBM Owego. We were good friends. He and Mary Jane were one of the couples who would get together once a month at rotating dinner parties at our houses. We always had a good time. I haven't seen him and Mary Jo for many years since I now live in Washington State. I understand that Tom always made the best spiedies in the whole area.
Mary Jo, I am sorry for your loss. Tom was a good guy and will be missed.
Deborah Duffek
February 1, 2019
Theresa, Jim, Carly & Grace -
Although I only met Tom a couple of time, what a Nice, Kind Hearted man.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family and all of your extended family during this very difficult time.
Cathy O'Reilly
January 30, 2019
Heartfelt condolences to both Mary Jo and the entire Jurista family. Tom will be missed!
Joseph Pitarra
January 30, 2019
I worked with Tom at IBM Endicott for many years. He was always a joy to talk with. He was one of the most ethical and honest people I knew. I know he will be missed by his family and also by the many friends he worked with at IBM.
peace Tom
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Alan Wechsler
January 29, 2019
Although I only met Tom a few times, I feel like I knew him well through all the stories I heard from my good friend (and former college dorm roommate) Jim. From my years in college at the University at Albany and on through the decades, Jim loved to regale his friends with stories about his Dad, whether about his hunting, growing up with him or his life on the farm. Even better than the stories were the spiedies from venison, elk, etc. that Tom shot in the wild, prepared and sent with Jim back to school. I only got to meet Tom a couple of times when visiting the Jurista family in Vestal, but I remember a cheerful man who was full of energy and welcoming to a young stranger. I also remember him trying to teach me how to use a rifle for the first time while shooting targets on his property. He had such a keen eye, with a single shot through a scope, he was able to tell how far out of adjustment the scope was. In those few visits, it was easy to see what a great patriarch Tom was, and what an important influence he must have been on his children.
January 29, 2019
Theresa, Jim, Carly & Grace -
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Love,
Rick & Toni
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Memorial Events
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Feb
1
Visitation
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home - Montrose232 South Main St., Montrose, PA 18801
Feb
1
Funeral service
11:00 a.m.
Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home - Montrose232 South Main St., Montrose, PA 18801
Funeral services provided by:
Daniel K. Regan Funeral Home - Montrose232 South Main St., Montrose, PA 18801
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