John Alan Zurewich
1/17/2023
John Alan Zurewich, (87) passed on January 17, 2023, peacefully at home hand in hand with his loving wife, Pat, along with close family by his side. John Alan Zurewich, fondly known as Alan, was born on October 24, 1935, Scranton, PA., to George T. and Edythe M. Zurewich.
Alan attended St. Peter’s Boys High School on Staten Island, where he was an accomplished athlete. He ran Cross-Country and Track, breaking three records. He continued his athletics at Notre Dame, where he graduated in 1960, with a degree in Business. Alan served in the Merchant Marines, travelling to Europe, throughout the Mediterranean Sea and Africa. It was during this time he learned a love for reading. He spent most of his life living in Northern New Jersey, working in NYC and NJ in the hospitality industry.
Alan spent the summers of his youth clamming in the Great Kills Harbor along the coast of Staten Island, New York. He was a lifelong learner and always had a book in his hand. He loved the outdoors, skiing, fishing hiking and exploring. He was a master-gardener, and his fine work is displayed in his many gardens, gracing his mountaintop home, Hawksdrift. The thousands of flowers are his pride and joy. He spent many years, planning, clearing the land, milling the wood, gathering stones, building his home with his own hands alongside his sons. He was inspired by both his and Pat’s visions, carefully executed with her meticulous management. He lived his final decades on the mountain welcoming friends and family and enjoying the sweeping views of the valley, watching the hawks drifting on the thermal breezes and enjoying breathtaking sunsets around the firepit.
He was predeceased by his parents; George T. and Edythe M., sisters; Barbara (Bobbie) De Vito and Mary Ellen Conway. He leaves to cherish his memory: wife of 42 years; Pat Bauernfeind-Zurewich, sisters: Georgia Balbin (Paul), Nancy McCoy, Jeanne Rouse (Mike), brother-in-law Bill Angelillo (Maureen), daughters; Barbara Raab, Gwen Garris, Sheila Dziersk (Tom), sons; Tom, Chris (Eliana), James (Lindsay), Giles, and mother of his six children, Patti Zurewich. Many grandchildren: Katie (Drew), Stefanie (Conan), Kelly, Courtney, Alexandra (Lukas), Lauren, Salina, Erika (Michael), Christina (Paul), Cassidy, Amber, Matthew, Jack (Genesis), Craig, Ashley, and Matthew. Also, great-grandchildren Layton, Julia, Lunetta, Kenny, Tessa, and Charlotte.
Alan’s family will host a wake on Friday, January 20, 2023, from 5:00 - 8:00p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave, Warwick, NY 10990. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady Fatima Church, 184 Breakneck Rd, Highland Lakes, NJ 07422. https://www.olfatimaparish.net/about-us/directions
In lieu of sending flowers to the Memorial Home, you may honor Alan’s memory with a donation to Our Lady of Fatima Church. https://25267.sites.ecatholic.com/give
Calendar of Care
At the time of funeral service we commemorate and reflect on the life
of John Alan Zurewich. In the days, weeks and months ahead it will be a
comfort to family of John Alan Zurewich to continue to remember a life well lived.
Please select a date on the Calendar of Care to be reminded via email to reach out and continue the caring for family of John Alan.
Please wait...
Please wait...