Obituary of John R Hudak

John Hudak, 87, passed peacefully with his family by his side on August 8, 2024, surrounded by the faith, love, and compassion of the wonderful people at Mercy House of the Southern Tier. John is predeceased by his parents Mary and Joseph Hudak, his sister Mary Anne Secoolish, and his brothers Alexander and Joseph Hudak. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Elaine (Sykes) Hudak, his daughters Bonnie (Bill) Evanitsky, Johnson City, NY and Linda (Jim) Tofte, Endicott, NY. His legacy lives on through his six grandchildren, Heather, Jacob, and Amanda Evanitsky; and Erik, Nolan and Karson Tofte, as well as great grandchildren Josiah Cammack, and Raelyn Evanitsky. John is also survived by his brother in law Wayne Sykes, sister in law Peggy Hudak, and sister in law Janice (Leon) Gardner as well as several treasured friends, nieces, and nephews. John was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, later moving to the First Ward of Binghamton and graduated from Binghamton Central High School where he lettered in Football and Basketball. John served proudly in the United States Army stationed in Korea where he was part of the Signal Corps as well as was a player with an elite Army basketball team while deployed. Upon returning from Korea, John married Elaine and lived and worked in Binghamton's First Ward where he spent 37 years working for Ansco/GAF/Anitec in the film manufacturing industry. John and Elaine spent summers on the east shore of Seneca Lake where they enjoyed the most amazing sunsets. Upon retirement, Elaine and John later moved to Winter Haven, Florida where they hosted family and friends in their beautiful warm weather home. They would spend their retired summers at the Belden Hill Campground to be close to family. John was a dedicated Boston Celtics and Pittsburgh Steelers fan, but his greatest joy was in watching his grandchildren follow their passions. He spent many hours at hockey rinks, golf courses, ball fields, basketball courts, cheer and gymnastics meets, as well as at concerts, musicals, and operas. John was a member of the St. Ann's (Holy Trinity) Catholic Church, Binghamton, St. Matthews Church in Winter Haven and was an active member of the American Legion Post 8 in Winter Haven. John's life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at the Church of The Holy Trinity, 346 Prospect Street in Binghamton, NY on Friday, August 16th at 11 am with burial at a later date. The family will receive friends at the Church the day of the funeral from 930am up to the start of the 11 am mass. John's family would like to thank all the caregivers who showed love to John and his family during his journey. In lieu of flowers the family requests you to prayerfully consider expressions of your sympathy with a gift to the Mercy House of the Southern Tier in his memory through https://mercyhousesoutherntier.com/donate.html or by mail at Mercy House of the Southern Tier 212 N. McKinley Ave. Endicott, NY 13760.