Steve Karoffa
Steve Karoffa, age 92, of Lemont Furnace, Pa., passed away Sunday, October 30, 2016 in LaFayette Manor, Uniontown, Pa.
He was born February 8, 1924 in Thompson 2, Pa., a son of Alex Karoffa and Susan Jachim Karoffa.
Steve was a member of Saint Mary Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church, New Salem, Pa.
A Veteran of the United States Army, he served as a tank driver in Europe during World War II. He survived the Battle of the Bulge, and was awarded three Bronze Stars.
He was a kind-hearted, generous man, a gentleman in his treatment of others, and proud to be an Army veteran.
Steve worked for General Motors in Cleveland, Ohio and spoke often of his prized possession, the red Corvette.
His family roots were always important to him so in 2001 he and his wife traveled to Slovakia and the Ukraine to visit the villages of their parents and grandparents.
Steve enjoyed traveling so every year they took trips around the USA.
One of his most enjoyable times was in helping the sisters prepare for the annual pilgrimages at Mount Saint Macrina. He spoke fondly of working with Sister Vladimir in preparing the food and icing the medovniki (cookies) and he considered it an honor to be able to usher for the services.
Steve also looked forward to volunteering with the weekly pirohi project at Saint John Byzantine Catholic Church in Uniontown and he was eager to help at his own church when needed. His Church and his faith were important to him.
Steve’s family thanks the doctors, nurses, aides and all the staff at LaFayette Manor for the good and compassionate care given to him during his stay.
Steve was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Karoffa; sisters, Eleanor Karoffa, Helen Loya; brothers, John Karoffa, George Karoffa, and Michael Karoffa; and his parents.
Surviving are his wife, Bernadette Loya Karoffa; a sister, Anna Bilconish of Thompson Two, Pa.; a brother, Alex Karoffa of Atlanta, Georgia; many nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in ROBERT T. KISH FUNERAL HOME INC., One Legion Street, Republic, Pa., Thursday, from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m and Friday, November 4, 2016 until 9:30 a.m. when a Panachida Service will be held.
Divine Liturgy will follow at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Mary Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church, New Salem, Pa., with Reverend Father Christopher R. Burke as the Celebrant.
Interment will follow in Mount Saint Macrina Cemetery, Uniontown, Pa where Military Rites will be accorded by AMVETS Post 103 of Hopwood, Pa.
Parastas Service will be held in funeral home on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Memorials in Steve’s name may be made to Amedisys Hospice of PA, 1368 Mall Run Road, Uniontown, PA 15401 or Saint Mary Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church, New Salem, PA 15468.