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John Michael Firda

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | August 01, 2022

John Michael Firda, born in McKeesport on July 24th, 1929, passed away on July 30th, 2022, surrounded by his family at the age of 93. John met his wife, the beautiful Agnes Bernadette (Behun) Firda at the moment of his departure to begin their journey to heaven together. John’s parents Marie (John) Jamnicky and John Firda, along with his siblings Dorothy, Bobbie, and Irene proceeded him in death and have been waiting for his arrival. John is survived by his two sons Gregory and Jeffrey (Tammy) Firda, his three grandchildren, Johnathan, Avonlea (Blaine), and Lexi Firda (Scooby & Sage) and his brother Bernie (Christine) Jamnicky along with many loving nieces and nephews and his beloved dog and best friend Chuckie.

John is a family man above all else. John retired as a District Manager from the Pennsylvania liquor control board in 1992. John followed his retirement with a full-time job as the coolest, most supportive, and funniest pap. We will not speak in the past tense because although death ended his life, it did not end his love. John loves the outdoors, building, cutting down trees, gardening, digging ditches, riding on his bulldozer, and playing cards. John kept up doing most of these things into his 90’s. John is a devote catholic who attended church every chance he could. John’s smile, upbeat personality, wit, and sense of humor lit up every room. His family never remembered him being in a bad mood. John served in the Navy and was a Morse code operator on the planes during the Korean War. After the Navy, John worked at continental can factory for a short time where he met the love of his life, Agnes. John would tell everyone he knew “the day she agreed to go out with me was the happiest day of my life, it knocked my socks off.” John said the two of them were brought together by God’s true love. Following their marriage John and Agnes built a beautiful life and family together. They were inseparable and celebrated 63 years together before Agnes passed in 2014. Above all else John and Agnes cherished quality family time. John will be immensely missed by all who love him. Arrangements are by the Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. 6028 Smithfield Street Boston, PA 15135. (412) 751-5000 Drew J. Gilbert, director. Funeral Mass will be held at Sts. Joachim & Anne Parish - St. Michael's Church, 101 McClay Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037 on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at 10:00am. Father Thomas Wagner will officiate. Interment will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Port Vue. In lieu of flowers please donate to the young women’s breast cancer awareness foundation in Pittsburgh on John and Agnes Firda’s behalf. Condolences can be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.

Originally published August 01, 2022.

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