Obituary of John Zabrodsky

John Zabrodsky, 83, formerly of 1 Lake St. in Jamestown, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at UPMC Hamot in Erie. He was born May 29, 1932 in Ukraine, a son of the late Ivan and Anna Zabrodsky. John's path from Europe to the United States began early in his life as he and his family fled the oppression and tyranny of the former Soviet Union and then capture and laboring in a forced work camp in Nazi Germany. They were liberated in 1945 by U.S. and Free French forces. In the aftermath of World War II they lived as refugees in Austria. The family joyfully immigrated to the United States with the help and sponsorship of their close family friend and priest in Sheffield, PA, who himself also escaped similar circumstances. John proudly served in the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps from 1953 until 1954. In 1958, he began working for the former Marlin Rockwell Corp. in Jamestown and retired from the then named SKF Aerospace in 1993. He was a member of St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church in Sheffield, PA and also belonged to the Eagles and the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. John enjoyed all Jamestown High School Red Raider sports, particularly when watching his own children and grandchildren. Anytime they were participating in sports or music brought him great joy. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Zabrodsky; three children: John (Kristy) Zabrodsky of Jamestown, Julie (Bryan) McCoy of Jamestown and Michael Zabrodsky of Las Vegas, NV; three grandchildren: Abigail Zabrodsky of Buffalo, Olivia Zabrodsky of Jamestown and Courtney McCoy of Jamestown; six nieces and nephews: Alexander Zabrodsky of Huntington Beach, CA, Lydia Martin of Quincy, MA, Tatiana Patten of Niantic, CT, Andrew Zabrodsky of Boothwyn, PA, Maria Johnson of American Fork, UT and Nina Wible of West Chester, PA; as well as several great- nieces and nephews. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Celia Reilley of Warren, PA and brother-in-law, Vincent Toscano of Las Vegas, NV. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Andrew Zabrodsky. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Lind Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received for 2 hours prior to the service in the funeral home Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the James Prendergast Library Association, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701; or the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Veterans Memorial Fund, 419 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701.