Obituary of Charles John Skorija

On May 31st, 2015, heaven gained an awesome angel ~Charles John Skorija, a godly man, devout husband, unfailing father, precious grandfather, cherished brother, beloved uncle, and trusted friend. The constant thread that bonded us as a family has soared like the Superman he was borne on eagles' wings where he will run and not grow weary and will walk and not be faint. Our hearts are heavy but we rejoice in knowing that he has run the race and fought the good fight so to win the prize of the Kingdom of the Lord. Chuck was born on January 23, 1934 to Michael and Dorothy Skorija. He attended Ambridge High School and graduated from Duquesne University. He married Mary Helen Pulpan on May 28, 1960. He worked many years in the insurance and risk management industry until he found his true calling as the Director of Safety and Environmental Compliance for Harsco Corporation. He developed and implemented policies, procedures and training which directly improved the health and safety of thousands of workers across the globe for over 20 years. He was a veteran of the Korean War era and served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army in Germany as a tank commander. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Harrisburg, PA, served as an extraordinary minister to the sick at Holy Spirit Hospital and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Chuck is survived by his wife of 55 years Mary Skorija, his children, Mary (John) Wintermote, Arlington, TX, Francis (Anne) Skorija, Harrisburg, PA, John (Julie) Skorija, Gainesville, VA and William (Gloria) Skorija, Harrisburg, PA; his sister Anne (Anthony) Grasha, Mechanicsburg, PA: six Grandchildren and three great-Grandchildren. On Friday, June 5, 2015, at 11am, Fr. Michael J. Grab, his pastor, will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 225 Salt Rd, Enola, PA 17025. Prior to the service visitation will commence at 10am. Interment with military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Harrisburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The Dailey Funeral Home is honored to serve the Skorija family. www.daileyfuneralhome.com Although we never met in person, we became cousins - a water, not blood, relatives! Chuck gave me so much information regarding our Croatian connections as he stood proud, not only of his heritage, but of his faith, family, friends, and country, I will miss his contacts, but hold in my heart, the memory of someone special to me and so many others. May his wonderful wife, Mary, their children, and many heirs to follow hold tight to the memory which the light of his life left behind. RIP, Chuck.