Boniface J. Duritsky

Our beloved Boniface Jude went to the Lord on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, to join his parents, John and Anna (Cisenko) Duritsky, and sister Mary Agnes Hanigosky, in paradise. He was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1934. Bon was a lifelong Steelers fan, a trait his daughter Bonnie Duritsky carries on. Bon was ordained a Divine Word priest in 1964. He received his Papal dispensation in 1968. That year he met Joan (Krolak) Duritsky, a former Ursuline nun (Sr. Joan Marie). They married in 1969. Besides his devoted wife and loving daughter, Bon is survived by his sister Mathilda Travis and her Ohio family, Irene Franczyk and her daughter Ruth (Kurt Hawkins) of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, His brother Elmer and his son David, also of Ohio, and a whole clan of wonderful relatives in the Cleveland area descending from his sister Mary Agnes (Pete) Hanigosky, both deceased. Also surviving are his daughter-in-law Annie Haley, two spectacular grandchildren - twins Olivia and Bane, newly adopted family member Christina, and faithful cousin Fayez Fayez. He was greeted with wagging tails by his favorite friends as they met on the other side - Caesar, Ginger, Herbie, Winston, Holly and Damyou. He was first and foremost a teacher. Bon loved his 30 years of teaching in Tecumseh, Michigan, first as librarian and junior high teacher, then as the architect of one of the first school computer programs in the region. He loved the kids and respected and cared about his fellow teachers. Bon enjoyed sports as a player and as a coach. But his love of learning and teaching were most important to his brilliant mind. He held Master degrees in Library Science and Mixed Media. Bon was instrumental in initiating two Geology scholarships, one at UT and one at BGSU. When he wasn't building houses or teaching, Bon enjoyed rock hounding, fishing, reading and traveling. At one time he even played the oboe and trumpet. Bon was co-editor of the Heartbeat Pulse for 13 years. He initiated a program of checking and repairing baby furniture donated to Heartbeat. He edited The Rocky Reader (Toledo rock club newsletter) for many years and later edited Rock Trails for The Stateline Gem & Mineral Society, a group he truly loved. Restoring the old Morenci, Michigan train depot as a clubhouse for this group had become his new important project. Passing on his knowledge of rock hounding and cutting stones was very important to him. Bon's passion was Life and was very involved in the Respect Life group at Christ the King, where he helped design and make possible the "Choose Life" billboard. Not only did Bon have a brilliant mind and religious soul, he possessed the eyes and hands of an artist, making and gifting beautiful jewelry, designing stained glass art, working with wood, clay, leather, whatever God put in front of him and making beautiful things. His home was open to all - friends, guests, family and anyone in need. Bon loved God, his family, life, people and animals, and they loved him back. His heart was true, strong and loyal, always to be trusted. Friends are invited to visit from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue, with sharing of memories beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Rosary at 7 p.m. Prayers will begin at 11:30 a.m., Friday, from the funeral home, followed by the Funeral Mass at 12 Noon, in Christ the King Church. Interment will be in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Respect Life Fund (for billboards) or Stateline Gem and Mineral Society Building Fund.The family would like to thank Dr. John McGreevey and Jeanine Shaffer, RN, of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, also the loving and caring home care givers who brighten Bon's last days.

Boniface J. Duritsky

August 2, 1934 - February 16, 2010