John Ridella

John Ridella, age 85 of Warren, died Sunday, February 3, 2008 at St. John Hospital in Detroit. He was born July 27, 1922 in Portage, Pennsylvania the son of the late Peter and the late Anna (nee:Bobolsky) Ridella. John was born and raised in Portage, Pennsylvania. He began working as a coal miner at a very young age and in 1943 was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during WWII. Upon his arrival back from the military in 1946 he worked as a miner again until moving to Detroit with his brother in 1948. He attended electrical school and was employed as an electrician at the General Motors Tech Center in Warren, Michigan for 37 years. One of his accomplishments while working there was being voted Shop Committeeman for UAW local #160. In 1950 he met his wife, Irene, at a church picnic and later married on June 7, 1952. In 1962, John and his wife became founding members of the St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church, where he served as an usher for many years. John loved to travel, and some of his journeys included going to California, Mexico, Canada, Czechoslovakia in 1992, and France in 2002. He enjoyed his grandchildren, summer gardening, euchre, and going to church. He is survived by his wife, Irene (nee: Roman), his children; Gregory (Donna), John, William (Laura), and Stephen (Amanda) Ridella. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren, and his siblings, Ann Koza and Rev. Joseph Ridella. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Anna Ridella, his siblings, Peter and Stephen Ridella. Visitation for John will be Thursday 2-9 pm with a Panachida at 7 pm, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 Mile). John will lie in state Friday 9:30 am at St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church, until the time of Funeral Service at 10:00 am. Celebrating the funeral service will be the Rev. Father Mychail Rozmarynowycz. Internment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Basil the Great Byzantine Catholic Church of Sterling Heights. Please share memories of John at his guest book.