Apr 17, 2024

Trotter

Julia Rosalie Goretsky, 98, of Trotter, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Woodcrest Senior Living Community, Scottdale.

She was born January 29, 1926, in Connellsville, a daughter of the late Joseph and Susan Vozar Herchko.

She graduated from Dunbar Township High School.

For many years, she was employed as a seamstress for Connellsville Sportswear Company.

Julia was a member of the former Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Connellsville, where she served on the Altar and Rosary Societies and was a member of the Christian Mothers. Once Holy Trinity closed, she returned her membership to her childhood church, St. John the Evangelist, Connellsville, where she was a devout and faithful member and volunteer.

Julia was known for making delicious meals. She loved to cook Sunday dinner for her family well into her 80’s, and for whomever may show up, especially members of the clergy. In addition to cooking, she enjoyed canning fresh vegetables from her husband’s garden. She loved to travel and gamble with her sisters, go polka dancing and play bingo.

Julia was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

In addition to her parents, Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Goretsky; daughter, Janet Goretsky; son-in-law, Raymond Cross Sr.; brothers, Albert (Rose) Herchko, John (Angeline) Herchko, Edward (Dolores) Herchko, and Paul (Imogene) Herchko; and sisters, Margaret Herchko, Anna (Harry) Coplin, Veronica (John) Blanish, Mary (Joseph) Speeney, Stephanie (Don) Williams, Catherine (Dick) Lowe, Helen (Gilbert) Hesslau, and Bernadine (Joseph) Lafko; niece, Marie Hesslau Ragucci.

Julia is survived by her children, Gloria T. Cross of Tarrs, Lawrence Goretsky and wife Paula of Trotter, and Walter A. Goretsky and wife Jerri of South Connellsville; grandchildren, Jason Goretsky and wife Hailey of Idaho, Jerrod Goretsky-Shaffer and husband Tim of Canonsburg, and M. Assunta Goretsky of South Connellsville; great- grandchildren, Amelia, Kendall, Ryland, Madison, Abigail, all of Idaho; stepgrandchildren, Ray Cross Jr. of Maryland and Nicole Pruchnic of Mt. Pleasant; step-great- grandchildren, Sam Cross, Nate Cross and Isabella Pruchnic; and, many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 19, in the PAUL G. FINK FUNEAL HOME, INC., 418 North Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville, PA 15425, with Julia’s family praying the Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation continues Saturday, April 20, from 8 until 9:30 a.m., when prayers of transfer will be held.

A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Connellsville, with Fr. Peter Guardiano as celebrant and Fr. Dennis Bogusz as concelebrant.

Committal services and interment will follow in Holy Trinity R.C. Cemetery, Connellsville.

Julia’s family would like to thank the staff of Woodcrest for their wonderful care of Julia for the last 5 years.

Personal written memories and tributes are welcome and encouraged at www.paulgfinkfuneralhome.com.