Vrana

John Joseph Vrana, 72, of Zelienople, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at UPMC Passavant McCandless, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer and associated complications.

John was born in Ellwood City on Dec. 15, 1951, and grew up in Zelienople.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Nicholas Vrana and mother, Julia Marie (Kati) Vrana. He is survived by his brothers, Michael Charles Vrana (Pamela) and Julius Stephen Vrana (Kathleen); his daughters, Emily Julia Vrana and Morgan Alison Vrana, and their mother, Tracy Lee (Blackburn) Vrana; as well as many nieces and nephews. He would be adamant to include that Emily is a pharmacist and Morgan is a veterinarian, as countless people are reminded during every encounter with John.

He graduated from Seneca Valley Senior High School and then attended Clarion University, where he was an esteemed swimmer and graduated with a degree in secondary education. His first job was a math teacher and swimming coach at Cathedral Preparatory in Erie for five years. Then he moved on to teach math at Seneca Valley for 34 years, during which time he also coached swimming for many years. To make a long story short, he was involved with swimming and taught math for a long, long, long time.

After retiring in 2013, he spent most of his time at his home on “Fanker Farm.” John enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, cooking, golfing, officiating swim meets, discussing and comparing sales on produce, passing out “medicines” (root beer barrels, especially), and endlessly helping others near and far.

He was a very active member of St. Gregory Church and was well-known for making halušky at the annual lawn fete. Some of the many things he will be remembered for include his love for vacationing in Ocean City, N.J., wearing duct tape on his dilapidated clothes, reminding people that “you only rent coffee,” and being tremendously experienced with technology, even having mastered how to add a contact to his flip phone!

A sentimental, simple, casual and Godly man, John — also referred to as D.O.D., Scanner, Muns, Hotdog, Buttermilk, Mr. Uncle John, Mr. Morgan’s Dad and Bub, among some other less appropriate names — will be extraordinarily missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know him, including those who had their ears talked off in line at the grocery store.

VRANA — The Vrana family will host a viewing for John Joseph Vrana, who died Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Gregory Church, 2 W. Beaver St., Zelienople. Because of his joyful demeanor and bright outlook on life, we encourage attire befitting the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Gregory Catholic School in John’s name.

Online condolences and directions are at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

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