Russell V. Choka

Russell V. Choka, 88, died Friday December 16, 2011 at Lutheran Hospital. He was the co-owner and operator of Ft. Wayne’s Famous Coney Island for 53 yrs. Surviving are his wife Helen, daughter Kathleen Choka and son Ronald Choka, daughter in law Barbara Choka (John) Snider all of Ft. Wayne. Also surviving are his grandsons Andy and Matt Choka. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Choka, brothers Stas, Alex, and Chris Choka. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday 10 A.M. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Mgr. Robert Schulte officiating. Friends may call at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Winchester Rd. Chapel Weds. 2 P.M. until 7 P.M. Visitation also will take place one hour prior to the services at the Cathedral on Thurs. Burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

He was one of those exceptional people so reflective of the World War II generation but even more unique…he was Russ Choka. Growing up during the Depression the child of Macedonian immigrants Dimitri and Eugenia Choka he attended St. Peter’s Catholic grade school, worked as a paperboy, graduated from Central Catholic High School, and when War began he entered the Army serving as a medic in the Pacific (Luzon, the Philippines and New Guinea) attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant. His boyhood dream was to play professional baseball like his favorite player Jimmy Fox but when asked why he didn’t pursue that dream he said “the War ended, I came home, married my wife (Helen Eshcoff in 1947) and just wanted to get on with my life”. He came home from the War a man and put his childhood dream behind him though nothing pleased him more than being able to watch his beloved Red Sox (and scratch off lottery tickets!). He loved and achieved at baseball, basketball (played and coached), golf and was one great bowler, he was also a member of the Ranger Athletic Club. Prior to coming to the Coney Island he worked for Magnavox and Dana. The Coney Island came into his life 53 years ago first working for his father-in-law Vasil Eshcoff then in poor health, becoming co-owner at Vasil’s passing in 1961. Working 7 days a week and chopping 50 lbs. of onions every single day the Coney Island literally became a part of him. He adored his family and lived long enough to work with his children, grandsons Andy & Matt Choka, nephews, grand-nephews and grand-nieces. His impact on them, his generations of employees, Coney Island “Regulars” and customers is very real and will be lasting. He was a loving husband, father, father figure, friend and benefactor to many but, even more, a man of Faith, character, integrity and warmth. Russ Choka will never be forgotten.

Preferred donations in lieu of flowers to The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and/or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital; Mass requests greatly appreciated.