Lasting Memories

John Michael D'Zurko
May 9, 1924-March 4, 2012
Cupertino, California

John Michael D'Zurko: born in Pittsburgh, Penn., on May 9, 1924, and died peacefully at Stanford on Sunday, March 4, 2012, of complications from lymphoma. He is survived by his younger brother, William D'Zurko of Mountaintop, Penn.; son, Michael D'Zurko of San Jose; and daughter, Marla Mulkey (Mike) and two children Marisa and Matthew Mulkey, of Mountain View.

A hero to his family, John was one of eight children orphaned at a young age. He worked hard and with integrity, attending college at UCLA, and Miami University in Ohio. He served in the navy as a radioman in both WWII and the Korean War until honorable discharge 1946 and 1951, respectively.

He settled after in San Francisco where he met his bride to be, Mary Johnson. They enjoyed life together until her passing in 1989 in Southern California. Time together entailed raising two children Mike and Marla, rallying with college friends who supported each other through business ventures, local and world travel, bridge groups, charity affiliations, and much laughter through the years.

John was a business and numbers guy who was an accountant for Shell Oil Co. for many years before starting a successful formal wear business with locations throughout Southern California. He retired in the late 1990s, moving to The Forum in Cupertino to live closer to his grown children. There he enjoyed wood shop, playing bocce, hosting family for holiday meals, and jetting out in his Prius to watch his grandchildren play in music recitals, sporting events, and graduations.

He always left thoughtful small items on the doorstep to make life joyful for his family, and lit up when his grandchildren were around. He is, and will continue to be, missed terribly.