John A. Oravec

John A. Oravec, 102, loving known as “Jake,” passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. His wife, the late Gertrude C. (Phillips) Oravec died on September 13, 2011.

Born on December 19, 1923 in Jessup, son of the late Frank P. and Mary S. (Gellak) Oravec, Jake lived in Philadelphia for most of his life and was a Pre-press Printer Manager for over 50 years at Glen Martin Paton Printers at their Philadelphia Branch. He enjoyed taking walks around his northeast Philly neighborhood to chat with neighbors or find “treasures” that they were getting rid of. He knew his way around the city and was tough to keep up with. His other hobbies included reading, framing pictures and art, and assembling or repairing clocks. He relocated to the home where he grew up in Jessup, PA in 2022.

Jake served proudly in the Navy/Marine Seabees, achieving the rank of Sergeant, from 1943 to 1945, during WWII at Attu Island base, Alaska. The Seabees were construction battalions formed to build vital infrastructures, such as airfields, bases, roads, hospitals in combat zones and Jake was proud to be known as one of the “fighting builders” with the Motto of “We build We fight”.

He is survived by his Caregiver nephew Daniel T. Cherney (Rosanne), and Caregiver niece Christine Toth (John), along with several nephews and nieces: Bruce Oravec (Pam), Susan Gannon (Chuck), Michael Oravec (Giselle), Helen Marie Goff (Ernie), Betty Ann Oravec, Janet Oravec, Cathy Oravec, Ann Marie Johnson (Ron), and Andrea Oravec, widow of Norman Oravec. He is also survived by several grand and great grand nieces and nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his 2 sisters - Justine Cherney (Daniel M.) and Grace Oravec - and 4 brothers - Ambrose Oravec (Helen), Frank Oravec (Betty), Joseph Oravec (Violet), Andrew Oravec (Sally) - and nephew Norman Oravec.

The family would like to extend our sincerest thank you to Jake’s special Angel Caretakers: Donna Borick, Andrea Rotell, Lois, Carol, Kathy, and Judy, just to mention a few. Special thanks also to Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their kind attention, visits, and compassionate care.

The funeral will be Saturday, January 10, 2026, from Hudak-O’Shea & Gabriel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc, 115 Garfield Avenue, Olyphant, with Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. in Queen of Angels Parish at St. Michael’s Church, 320 1st Avenue, Jessup. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Jessup.

Family and friends are invited to attend Jake’s viewing, which will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Jake’s memory to Saint Cyril and Methodius Basilica, Danville, PA; Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Scranton, PA; and St. Joseph’s Center, Dunmore, PA.

To offer an online condolence, visit the funeral home’s website or Facebook page.