Theodore Sirko 93, Herr’s Ridge Road, Gettysburg, died Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 28, 1925, in Nanty Glo, Pa., the son of the late Frank and Catherine (Duszkevich) Sirko, and was the last survivor of their 11 children. Ted is survived by his wife of over 69 years, Almeda (Mitchell) Sirko.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater and as part of the occupying forces in Japan following the war. Mr. Sirko was a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a master’s degree from Penn State University. The majority of Ted’s career was in the New Paltz Central High School in New Paltz, New York, where he taught physics and chemistry and also served as the school’s principal.
He was an avid gardener, an amateur beekeeper and while living in Gettysburg, became interested in the Monarch butterfly and participated in the University of Kansas study to tag Monarch butterflies to follow their migration paths. He was a member of the Gettysburg Walking Club, was a member of the Gettysburg VFW and the Gettysburg American Legion. Ted loved spending time with his grandchildren and teaching them about Gettysburg and the American Civil War.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Sirko is survived by a son Theodore J. Sirko of Gettysburg; a daughter Susan L. Underwood and her husband H. Brian of Moravia, N.Y.; and four grandchildren, Alexander F. Sirko, Catherine J. Lortz and husband Mark, Craig Underwood and Glen Underwood; and four great-grandchildren: Jasmine, Kirnan, Landon and Sophia.
Funeral services will be private at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support your favorite charity. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Monahan Funeral Home.