Victor V. Fondrk

1925 - 08

Victor V. Fondrk, 81, of Jeannette, passed peacefully and mercifully on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at his final residence, Hempfield Manor, Hempfield Township, after a long, rolling journey through the perils of dementia and Parkinson's disease. He lived a full life, with robust achievements in education, engineering, travel and family. Victor was born Aug. 28, 1925, in Leechburg, a son of Adam and Catherine Talapka Fondrk. He was a 1946 graduate with honors from the University of Pittsburgh, where he received his engineering degree. Victor also was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity during his education at Pitt. He was a World War II veteran, having served with the U.S. Army. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by the Elliott Co. of Jeannette as an engineer. During his career at Elliott's, Victor held a U.S. patent on a compression fluid recovery system in 1967. He also received a Life Masters Certificate in 1991 from the American Contract Bridge Association. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by four brothers, Steve, Joseph, Adam and John Fondrk; and a sister, Mary Quarato. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anne M. (Daniel) Fondrk; his children, Richard A. Fondrk and his wife, a special daughter-in-law, Sherri, of Jeannette, Susan Fondrk-Austin and her husband, Michael, and Victor D. Fondrk, all of Virginia Beach, Va.; two grandchildren, Tyler R. and Tori R. Fondrk; a brother, Andrew Fondrk and his wife, Carolyn, of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette. A blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with Father John M. Foriska officiating. Interment will follow in Jeannette Memorial Park, Penn Township. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 490 E. North Ave., Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.