John Metruk Essex Center John Metruk, 84 passed away Saturday March 14, 2015 at UVMC in Burlington, VT; he was born July 14, 1930 in Massena, NY son of the late Emile and Ksenie (Fiell) Metruck. John was an everyday-man of extraordinary dimensions to his family and friends. It’s been written that “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” … John, our Dad was all of these and more – he lived and lived well. John joined the Marine Corp at seventeen, honorably fought for his country and was shot in the Battle of the Chosen Reservoir during the Korean War. Returning home he used the G.I. Bill to earn his degree from Canton State College in NY. John & Margaret married in 1954. He was a devoted husband and dedicated father. He provided for his growing family by working for the NYS Power Authority during the building of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Niagara power projects; moving his family to Vermont joining IBM in 1966 as part of their High Voltage Engineering team until his retirement in 1991. John was a journeyed Master Electrician – one of the many skills he shared with his family. John found tremendous purpose and joy in the outdoors, spending the Archery Season teaching his sons and daughters and their sons and daughters the elite sportsmanship involved in hunting deer with the Bow and Arrow. It was a passion he shared with his family throughout his life. The fresh air and exercise provided him with his full and active life; John was even still hunting from treestands into his eighties. His advice and perspective in the workshop, on construction projects and in life will be profoundly missed, but the wisdom and life lessons will live on in us. All of his children and grandchildren benefited tremendously from his Jack-of-All-Trades abilities and his never-ending “you can do it attitude” that he imparted to us throughout our lives. John Metruk ‘lived his life well’ – we will miss him in our everyday lives, but know his legacy lives on in us. He is survived by his six children three sons John S. Metruk and wife Debbie of Essex, Paul Metruk and wife Carlene of Underhill, David Metruk and wife Patti of Huntington; Three daughters Susan Cogley and husband Robert of Essex, Nancy Gianni and husband Bruce of Syracuse, NY, Margo Metruk of Randolph, Brother-in-law Dan Conklin and wife Lena of New Mexico, Nine Grandchildren, Joshua and wife Stephanie, Jesse and wife Stephanie, Joseph, Thomas, Michael, Sarah, Nicholas, Gabriel, Taylor, two great-grandchildren Peyton and Tristan, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. We are deeply grateful for the wonderful people who have helped our Dad through his life’s journey including his caring neighbors Kevin & Jodi – we thank you. John was predeceased by his wife Margaret (Conklin) Metruk January 4, 2010, his brothers Peter Metruck, Willy Metruck and Stephen Metruck, Sister-in-law Marylou Metruck Stephen’s wife and sisters Jenny Bower, Mary Podgurski and Helen Susese all of Massena, NY Visiting hours will be held on Sunday March 22, 2015 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at AW Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel, 57 Main St. Essex Jct., VT 05452. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated on Monday March 23, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Pius X, Essex, VT with Reverend Charles Ranges S.S.E. officiating. Burial will be in the spring at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions in John’s memory may be made to the National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 or by visiting www.nra.org. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com