John Anthony Longawa

John A. Longawa

Hammond

John Anthony Longawa, age 93, of Hammond, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 16, 2018.                                                                           

  He is survived by his children: Vicky Longawa of Chicago, Martha (Larry) Polovich of Jonesboro, GA, Paul (Suzette) Longawa of Valparaiso, Fran (Bert) Towle of Petaluma, CA, Mary Longawa of Lake Station,  John (Cherie) Longawa of Thousand Oaks, CA, Christopher (Debbie) Longawa of Warsaw; Grandchildren: Eric Polovich, Matthew (Priscilla) Polovich, David (Cindy) Longawa, Nathan Towle, Elizabeth Stan, Jonathan Stan, Samuel Stan, Katie Longawa, Ben Longawa, Joshua Longawa, Lilly Longawa; Great grandchildren: Evelyn, Oscar and Maebry Polovich; nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and friends.

Preceded in death by wife of 69 years Mary Rose Longawa; brothers Jerry, Joe, Henry, Raymond, Edward, Stanley and Walter Longawa, sisters, Josephine Kaniewski and Dorothy, Marcia, Bernice Longawa, and daughter, Barbara Stan

Friends are invited to meet with the family for a time of visitation on Monday, May 21, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bocken Funeral Home, 7042 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond (Hessville). Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 DIRECTLY at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 7132 Arizona Avenue, Hammond (Hessville) with visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the mass at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Charles Mosley celebrant. Burial will be private.

John was a life-long time resident of the Calumet area. He was a 1942 graduate of East Chicago Roosevelt High School. A self-taught musician, he, his brothers and friends played in a Croatian wedding band "Veseo Srce" which translates to "Happy Hearts." He played upright bass, sang, and also played mandolin. He was employed as Chief Utilities Operator at Standard Oil where he worked for 33 years and was well known and loved. Once retired, he enjoyed fishing with his buddies on Lake Pepin, WI, traveling with his wife Mary Rose, and spending time in his garden.  One of the original organic gardeners, he started experimenting in the mid 1960s. Beginning with dwarf fruit trees and then vegetables, his garden later expanded to almost his entire property. He was famous for growing and canning tomatoes, making applesauce, and providing friends, family, and neighbors with an abundance of produce. A faithful member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church for 60 years, he sang in the church choir, and loved to perform in the church "Cabaret" shows. He will be remembered as being a devoted father and husband, and a loving grandfather, uncle, and friend. For more information you may call Bocken Funeral Home at (219)-844-1600 or visit us at www.bockenfunerals.com.

To be posted when completed.

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