Francis Stretchko

Francis “Sam” T. Stretchko. In the early afternoon of July 8, 2015, Sam peacefully passed away of natural causes at the age of 92 in the presence of family. Sam was born in the coal-mining town of Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania, on November 25, 1923. He was the first born of six children of John Stretchko and Mary Kaschalk.

Sam enlisted in the Army in May 1943, and served honorably as an airplane and engine mechanic at the headquarters of the 1264th Army Air Force Base Unit, North African Division, Army Transport Command, until February 14, 1946. His military awards and citations include the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European, African and Middle Eastern Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Upon his return to Pennsylvannia in 1946, Sam worked as a brakeman for Bethlehem Mines Corp. (f/k/a Heisley Coal Company) for 32 years. He retired in 1978 and pursued his life-long goal of living on the beach in Florida, settling on the east coast in Cape Canaveral.

A stout Catholic, Sam was a fan of NPR and BBC Breakfast, "Chove Chuva" and “Mais Que Nada” by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, Old-Grand Dad whiskey, and root beer candies. He enjoyed good conversation and could never resist complimenting a beautiful lady. He was predeceased by his brother Jack and is survived by his sisters Marie, Pauline, Carlotta, and Thressa and his 13 nieces and nephews.

As an uncle, Sam had a special role. Not being a father, he was a friend and a supporter to his nieces and nephews in a different way than anyone else in their lives. He was both a relative and a companion; one of the few people able to be both. His loss is a particularly hard one but is filled with years of happy memories and special connections that belong only to “Uncle Sam.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Florida 32778