Wojtyna

John Paul Wojtyna passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2026. He was born May 17, 1950, in Butler, to Edward and Helen Wojtyna.

He was the middle child, between firstborn, Kathy Wojtyna Durbin (Ray) and little sister Carol Wojtyna Hutzley (Brian). He relayed stories of playing on the hillside across from their house and antics with his many cousins.

John graduated from Butler High School, Class of 1968, and attended the University of Pittsburgh. He graduated in 1972 from Pitt with a civil engineering degree and embarked on a career that brought him challenge and satisfaction, the bulk of his years working with GAI Consultants. Leadership and mentoring the next generation were very important to John. He particularly enjoyed sharing his passion for engineering by mentoring middle school students in Future City Competitions.

Traveling to places off the beaten path and a love of gardening were his less nerdy interests. John thoroughly enjoyed being the tree commissioner for Oakmont for several years while he and wife, Lorelli Moser, raised their sons, Ben (Abby) and Alex (Keer), there on Fourth Street. They were lucky to take the boys on interesting national and international trips during their childhood, but inevitably the photos would include sunsets, forests, flowers, bridges or culverts seen along the way.

Family was of great importance to John, including his nephews, Brian Durbin (Nikki), Brad Hutzley and Tyler Hutzley (Julie), as well as niece, Barbara Knicely (Monte). He was proud of great-nieces, Ashley Knicely, Megan Knicely, Grace Hutzley and little Charlotte Durbin. Great-nephews Marshall Knicely and Kade Durbin round out a fine and handsome family. No matter the occasion, setting or noise level of family celebrations, John was comfortable enough to take a snooze, in the midst of wrapping paper, teasing and laughter!

Prior to retirement, John and Lorelli downsized to a lovely fourth floor apartment in a co-op in Pittsburgh. He continued to garden, supported the community by serving on the co-op board, attended many arts and cultural events, and after retirement, he volunteered with Tree Pittsburgh. Luckily, John and Lorelli and family have continued to travel, still with an occasional engineercentric photo. A life well-lived.

Interment will be a private matter at Penn Forest, in Verona, Pa.

A public celebration of John’s 75-plus years of life will be held in the near future.

If you would like to honor John’s life and legacy, consider planting a tree and watching it grow or donate to: Tree Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy or Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burket-Truby Funeral Home Cremation and Alternative Services, Oakmont.

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