John Joseph Stuka

Hoosick Falls – John Joseph Stuka, was known as “Mush” to everyone who knew him growing up in the Clay Hill section of Hoosick Falls, NY. Born on September 23, 1917, Mush was the son of Andrew and Rozalia (Symolon) Stuka. He was the husband of the late Janet Carolyn (Wright) Stuka, who died on February 18, 2001. They were married on November 18, 1939, and were together for sixty-two years.
Mush enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 16, 1943. He was a ball turret gunner in a B-24 named Lady Luck. Between April 29, 1944, and August 22, 1944, he flew a total of fifty-one combat sorties, some of them to the Ploesti oil refineries on the 10th and 17th of August, 1944. In June of 1944 the Lady Luck was involved in the Vienna, Austria, bombing, and the crew was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. Among other medals awarded the crew were two Air Medals and two Distinguished Cross Medals with four bronze battle stars.
Mush was formerly employed at Wright Way Laundry in Bennington, VT, owned by his brothers-in-law, Lester and Arthur Wright. He was also employed at the Specialty Mfg. Company and retired in May of 1986 from the former Wood Flong Corp., both in Hoosick Falls.
In his youth he played baseball for the City League in Hoosick Falls and was known as “First Ward’s Steller Pitcher.” He was second in batting averages with an average of .425. Mush attended St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls. He also enjoyed gardening and loved teasing his grandchildren with his famous cucumber in a bottle trick. He was famous for his sense of humor and quick wit. Mush had many favorite fishing spots at Babcock Lake where he spent many summers at the family camp.
He is survived by two daughters, Emmy Piritz and husband Carl of Hoosick Falls and Rosemarie Cave of Liverpool, NY, a son, William Stuka of Wells, NY, and eight grandchildren, Michael and Robert Piritz, Lisa Davis, Adam, Janet and Ethan Foucher, Brandon and Jennifer Stuka. He is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by four sisters, Helen Coulter, Florence Scoville, Clara Pettibone and Sophie Petralia.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 22, with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls. Arrangements were by the Mahar Funeral Home, 43 Main Street in Hoosick Falls.
The family thanks the doctors and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, the staff at the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Hoosick Falls and Dr. Marcus Martinez for their kind and loving care.