Obituary of John Dribnak

John Dribnak, Jr., age 91, of Poughkeepsie, died Sunday, July 1, 2012 at home in Poughkeepsie. John was born June 2, 1921 in Kilnov, Slovaka . He is the son of the late John and the late Julia (Dano) Dribnak Sr.. He married Rose Emelyanov on June 10, 1944 at St. Mary's Orthodox Church NYC, they were married for 68 years. John had so many God given talents and skills. He also was a professional Boxer, fighting Rocky Graziano during his boxing career. John's past hobby was building boat models by hand. John also entered the Rose Bowl dancing contest and came in second place. John was a community volunteer for the K of C Little league and Senior League. During the time that he was coaching, his teams were the Champions Five years straight in a row. In John's earlier years while living in Brooklyn NY he coached and managed Little League and Senior League baseball, resulting in Professional Baseball careers for some of his players. John loved the Hudson Valley, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was active in the IBM quarter century club and also in local senior clubs. He was employed by IBM Poughkeepsie as a Senior Associate Engineer. John retired on June 30, 1986. John started his career as a tool and die maker. He was successful in developing many inventions and designs. John attended the RCA Institute, were he helped to develop the first Black and White 13 inch TV. He went on to the Pratt Institute to get his degree in Design Engineering. He is survived by his wife: Rose(Emelyanov) Dribnak of Poughkeepsie NY; daughter and her husband Nina Dribnak Lewis and Glen Lewis of Denton Maryland, daughter and her husband Mary Ann Dribnak Black and Dr. Richard Black of Sugar Land Texas, son and his wife Michael Joseph and Deborah Dribnak of Longmont Colorado and his daughter and son in-law Alexandra Helene Dribnak Parks and John Lee Parks of Coatsville PA. John is also survived by his grandchildren Jessica Rose Lewis of Denton Maryland, David Alexandor Black of LA California, Michelle Witkin and her husband Jeffrey Endicott NY, Matthew Dribnak of Denver Colorado and great grandson Cooper Michael Dribnak. Calling hours will be Thursday, July 5 from 4pm to 8pm at Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. There will be further visitation Friday July 6, 2012 from 9am to 11am at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Livingston Street Poughkeepsie. The funeral will be held 11:00 am with Burial to follow at St. Peters Cemetery, Poughkeepsie NY. The family would like to thank the Lutheran Care Center staff, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police and the Arlington Fire Department for the care that was given to John. If you would like to send an online condolence or to light a memorial candle, please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com