John Czerenda

John Steven Czerenda, 87, Deceased 9/18/2011 in Tallahassee Fl. Our world has lost a most outstanding person. A mentor, an encourager and Dad to many.John Czerenda born in 1923 was raised on an upstate New York Farm. The first car he owned was a Model A. They didn't have electricity on the farm till much later. He was in the Navy in WWII and was honorably discharged. After the War he eventually became a City of Miami Police Officer. He rose to be a Sargeant in the original Miami Vice the Oraganized Crime Task Force. He was on the team that caught Murf the Surf, a notorius jewel thief. John Retired from the Police force and then worked various contruction projects. As a family man he was a gentle giant. I am so privilaged to have known him. He was always encouraging and had a fabulous sense of humor. He gave more smiles and joy to us. His passing will leave an empty well in our lives, save for the memories. When I would come home from work and open the door to my house and John would be sittng there watching his news program he would always light up and give a happy shout when I would walk in and he would shake my hand like I'd been away for months. He loved to sneak out of the house with me for "mantime" and get a margarita at Across the Border or a bourbon at Barnacle Bills. He loved good jokes and he made up plenty original ones too. He took care of my Mom when I was too immature to realize the importance of others. He must've mowed a million acres. He fixed up the house that was built for my Mom. It was our first house so there were some notable errors in it which he never said a negative word about. Like John Wayne he couldn't easily come right out and say "I love you" but all of his actions were love in action. There was no character flaw in John Czerenda. John is predeceased by his brother Stanley and Mike and Stepchildren Bob and Rick Powell. He is Survived by his faithful and beloved sister Annie Hover, his sister Mary Sutkowski, his brother Adam Czerenda and his sister Helen Watkins and many nephews and nieces. John is also survived by his loving wife Margaret Kilpatrick Czerenda and her children Betty Legg, Ray Kilpatrick, Richard Kilpatrick, John Kilpatrick and Bob Kilpatrick. Other survivors from a previous marriage and all those who haved called him Dad or Paw Paw are Linda Seathre and Glory Powell and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A special note from Richard Kilpatrick living in Japan: Just found out my step dad passed away today. A great and FANTASTIC MAN he was! We all loved him as much as our first and real dad. He and I had a lot in common, more than a lot of fathers and sons. I'm glad that I could speak to my mom tonight! I am also glad that I had the privilege to have him as my father and friend. I know that he is in a much better place now and in the end we will all meet again... Just got to remember that he is healed now. I love ya John! A special note from grandaughter Laura Danielle Legg:"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers The o'er fraught heart and bids it break." I'm going to miss the man who built my treehouse for me, who didn't talk much but when he did everyone listened, let me curl up in his lap and nap, and always had some adoring animal in his lap. Rest in peace Grandpa John. I love you so much.