Sylvester “Petty” Gjurich, 98, of East Taylor Township, Pennsylvania, went to be with our Lord on June 15, 2026, at The Villa Crest.
He was born on June 18, 1927, in Conemaugh, a son of the late Lazo and Damjena (Buchan). He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty (Buchan) Gjurich; brothers, Milan and Blaine; sisters, Dorothy Gvozdich, Zora Locher, Helen Saula and Betty Vuckovich; five siblings in infancy; and daughter-in-law, Deborah Gjurich. He is survived by loving sons, Daniel (Nancy), Louis “Lazo” and Brian Gjurich; grandchildren, Matthew (Jennifer) Gjurich, Danielle (Jason) Eshleman, Dana (Chris) Norris, Lazo (Kelly) Gjurich and Abby Gjurich; great-grandchildren, Milan Gjurich, Bowen Norris, Morghan Viozzi and Marleigh Gjurich; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Petty was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was a 1945 graduate of Conemaugh High School and a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, where he proudly served as a control tower operator. He retired from Bethlehem Steel after 35 years as a rigger.
Petty always thought he could make a positive contribution by becoming involved in the community or his church. He had a passion for politics and was the long-standing chairperson of the Democratic Party for East Taylor Township and was active in the Cambria County Democratic Party where he served on the executive board. He was extremely proud of his Serbian heritage and was a member of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church and the former St. Petka Serbian Orthodox Church of Johnstown. He sang in the church choir for 70 years, served in many capacities on the church council and was a delegate to many conventions. He was recognized by the Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Eastern America for many years of hard work and outstanding service on the Serb National Federation Board, Treasurer of Shadeland Camp Committee, Diocesan Council and Diocesan Administrative Board. In addition, he was past president of Serb National Federation Lodge 32 “Sv. Jovan Krstitelj.”
Petty will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather or “Didi” as his grandchildren affectionately called him, uncle, Kum and friend. He was an inspiration to many and lived a long life with an abundance of love and laughter. His goal late in life was to make at least one person laugh every day.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at The Villa Crest for the wonderful care provided to Sylvester. Family and friends were received on Thursday, June 18 at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Johnstown. where Pomen will be sung at 7 p.m. The funeral service with His Grace the Right Reverend Kyr. Irinej as main celebrant, along with additional clergy took place on June 19. Interment was at Grandview Cemetery with military honors by Menoher Post #155.
The family requests memorial contributions be directed to St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, Building Fund, 971 St. Clair Road, Johnstown, PA 15905, in Petty’s memory. Online condolences may be expressed at millerfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Memory eternal.
