Obituary of Joseph Dranchak

Joseph Dranchak, 95, of South Plainfield, died on November 6, 2018 at JFK Medical Center in Edison. Born in Old Forge, PA to the late Joseph and Susan Dranchak (nee Rosalanka), Joseph proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Airforce during World War II, where he was a Staff Sgt., serving as a tail gunner for B-26 aircrafts. Mr. Dranchak went on to work as a Chemical Engineer with Schering Plough in Kenilworth, where he dedicated 40 years to the company. Retiring 30 years ago, Joseph enjoyed gardening, and was especially proud of his tomatoes and zinnias, and loved to fly small aircrafts with his private pilot's license. He was a naturally talented musician, and was a gifted singer; who played the guitar, violin, harmonica, and the accordion. Most of all, Joseph enjoyed playing the violin with his son, relaxing with his pipe and cigars, and quality time spent with his family. He was a parishioner of St. Mary's Byzantine Church in Hillsborough where he sang in the choir, and was a member of the American Legion in South Plainfield. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Namatka Dranchak in 1965 and his second wife, Viola Doescher Dranchak in 1993, as well as by his brothers, John and Michael Dranchak. Surviving are his loving children, Joseph Bruce and wife Gladys, Debbie Sykes, Darlene Abbruzzese and husband John, Marian Dabrowski and husband Gene Corrigan, and Nicholas Dranchak and wife Christine, his cherished grandchildren, Joseph Dranchak, Lori Dranchak, Matthew Dabrowski and wife Theresa, Tara McPartland and husband Travis, Vanessa Sykes and partner Matthew Herman, Jared Sykes, Zarina Dranchak, Collette Dranchak, Krista Dranchak, and great grandchildren, Cooper McPartland, Harper McPartland, and Mason Herman. Family and friends are welcome to gather for visitation on Friday, November 9, 2018 from 4:00 to 8:00PM at the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Hillsborough. Family and friends are welcome to gather directly at church. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Iselin. Memorial contributions may be made in Joseph's memory to the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home, 132 Evergreen Road, Edison, NJ 08837.