Suorsa

Dr. Paul John Suorsa, 95, of Slippery Rock, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.

He was born in New Castle, on Sept. 17, 1928, to Otto Isaac Suorsa and Hilma Elsarita (Lehto) Suorsa.

He married Gertrude Gunda Ullrich, on Jan. 24, 1959, and she preceded him in death on July 14, 2021.

Paul was a first-generation Finnish American who graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy for the GI Bill, taught electronics and math to other sailors, and was honorably discharged in 1949. He graduated from Westminster College (formally in May 2019 — and that’s another story) and earned his Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD) degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1956. He had veterinary practices in Mercer, Pa., from 1956 to 1966, and in Slippery Rock from 1966 to the 1990s. The veterinary practice continues under his son, Dr. Daniel Suorsa. Paul loved his family, his vocation and his community. He was of the Lutheran faith.

His numerous vocational and community contributions included nomination by the governor and appointment to the Pennsylvania State Board of Veterinary Medicine for a four-year term in 1996; and serving in the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, the national Arabian Horse Association (including on the ethics committee) and the Pennsylvania Arabian Horse Association.

Locally, he was a longtime member of the Slippery Rock Rotary Club, and he applied the Rotary Four-Way Test as an ethical guide to his life (Is it true? Is it fair? Will it build goodwill? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?). Paul was a founding member of the Slippery Rock Heritage Association, served on the Slippery Rock Area School Board, the Slippery Rock University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and the Butler County Republican Party Committee.

He and his wife established the Arabian horse breeding farm, “Arcadian Arabians,” in 1959. They raised many beautiful and award-winning horses over the 30 plus years of their breeding farm’s operations. Their farm lifestyle enriched the raising of their four children. Their marriage partnership continued to the end, and Paul’s devotion to and care of Gertrude in their later years was a testimony of love and a legacy to his family.

Survivors include two daughters, Katherine (Kevin) Super of Cranberry Township and Susan (Harold) Brydon of Butler; two sons, Richard (Lynne) Suorsa of Fort Collins, Colo., and Dr. Daniel (Tiffany) Suorsa of Slippery Rock; sister, Ruth (Roger) Schmucker of Louisville, Ohio; two brothers, Martin (Alice) Suorsa of Saratoga, Calif., and Donald (Beth) Suorsa of New Castle; and eight grandchildren, Nathan and Colin Super, Michaela and John Brydon, and Cameron, Heston, Reagan and Landen Suorsa.

He was preceded in death by his wife; three sisters, Martha Suorsa, Eleanore Bender and Miriam Leino; and brother, David Suorsa.

SUORSA — The family of Dr. Paul John Suorsa, who died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.

A funeral service for Dr. Suorsa will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Saturday, with his nephew, the Rev. James Bender, presiding. Interment with family will follow in Slippery Rock Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Slippery Rock Rotary Foundation (https://slipperyrockrotary.org/donation/) to support local community needs.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.