Peter Rasko

Our dear father, Peter Rasko (98 years old), sadly, passed away on March 17, 2023, at RWJ Somerset Medical Center. He was born in Portage, PA to the late Samuel and Mary (Smishko), on July 12, 1924. He served his country in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in Montana, where he planted trees and helped with forest fire mitigation. In 1942, during WWII, he joined the US Navy and was assigned to a mine laying ship, the USS Kiakak, fighting in the waters off Northern Africa. He was then assigned to the USS Baltimore, a heavy cruiser. (During this time the ship took part in the battles of the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The USS Baltimore also transported President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Pearl Harbor to meet with Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur.) After WWII, Peter re-enlisted in the Air Force, which was then a part of the US Army, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. Upon returning home from the military, he married his wife, Margaret, in 1951. They moved to Manville, NJ in 1954, where they raised their family. He worked for over 30 years at Johns-Manville Corporation in Manville, and then 3 years at Binder Machinery Company, in South Plainfield, before retiring in 1989. During his retirement, Peter worked part time at ADESA wholesale auto dealership for over 10 years. He was an avid baseball and football fan, and enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member of Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Manville, NJ. Peter is survived by his children Kathleen Moschak, husband Alex, Ronald, significant other Charlene Bartley and Patricia Cizin, husband, Thomas, grandchildren, Michelle Yoder, husband PJ, Jessica Moschak, significant other Kyle DeMattia, Rebekah Rasko, Samantha Rasko, Nicholas Cizin and Caitlyn Cizin and two great-grandsons, Caleb and Carter. Peter was predeceased by his loving wife, Margaret, in November 2022. He was also predeceased by brothers, Alex, Charles and Steve and sisters, Anna (Blazovsky), Mary (Romanchock), Helen (Delasko) and Julia (Delasko). The viewing will be on Thursday, March 23, 2023 from 4 to 8 PM at the Ketusky Funeral Home, 1310 Brooks Blvd., Manville, NJ 08835. The Parastas Service will be conducted at 6:30 PM during the visitation. The Funeral will take place on Friday, March 24, 2023 8:30 AM from the Ketusky Funeral Home followed by a 10:00 AM Funeral Service at Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Manville, NJ. Burial will follow at Holy Ghost Orthodox Cemetery in Hillsborough, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to Holy Ghost Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church 258 S. 6th Avenue, Manville, NJ 08835.

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Peter Rasko

July 12, 1924 - March 17, 2023