Rev. John H. Salko

Rev. John H. Salko, 84, former Pastor of St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, Porter Avenue, Scottdale, for the past 55 years and a Priest of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, fell asleep in the Lord, Friday afternoon, December 8, 2017, in Hazleton, Pa., in the caring presence of his loving family.
Father John was born May 30, 1933 in Hazleton the Son of the late Andrew and Ann O-Hazzo Salko.
He was a graduate of Hazleton High School, Class of 1951 and attended one year at Penn State University.  He then entered St. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Pittsburgh, for 8 years and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Duquesne University in 1954.
Father John was ordained in Munhall, April 23, 1960. He was then appointed as an Associate Priest at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Trenton, New Jersey, for a period of 1 ½ years.  From there Father Salko was appointed in 1961, as Pastor of the original St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, on Scottdale Avenue, and in a few years was responsible for the complete transformation of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, now located on Porter Ave.
The 50th Anniversary of the Parish was celebrated in 1961, highlighted by a ground breaking ceremony for a new church building.  An enormous amount of energy and financial resources were required to accomplish the task and in 1971 the first Divine Liturgy in the new church was celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, with the Rev John H. Salko as Celebrant.
Father leaves behind a number of loving Nieces and Nephews, who were very near and dear to him:
Kathleen Dziak and husband Andrew
Nadine Donahue and husband Thomas
Robert Salko and wife Sharon
Richard Salko and wife Denise
And their Mother, Berdene Salko Ondishin
And a number of Great Nieces and Nephews.
In addition to his Parents, Father was predeceased by:
His Brothers; Robert, William, Andrew and Joseph Salko and two brothers in infancy.
Also a nephew, Ronald Salko
Those honored to serve as Pallbearers for their Uncle, Father John H. Salko are;
Andy Dziak, Robert Salko, Sr, Robert Salko, Jr., Richard Salko, Jr., Christopher Salko, Amanda De Long and Jared De Long
Father John’s family will greet friends and parishioners in St. John Byzantine Catholic Church, 525 Porter Avenue, Scottdale, Friday from 3 – 5 and 6 – 8 PM. A Priestly Parastas Service will be celebrated at 7:30 PM, Friday evening. Additional visitation will begin Saturday at 9 AM to 10 AM when the Funeral Divine Liturgy will be Celebrated at 10 AM, with his Eminence, Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla, D.D., of the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, as Principal Celebrant and a number of Priests from the Archeparchy Con-Celebrating.
Private Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.
The family requests No Flowers.
Those who wish to remember Father Salko in a special way, may make gifts in his memory to St. Cyril and Methodist Seminary, 3605 Perrysville Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa 15214 or to St. Anne’s Home, 685 Angela Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601 or to a Charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements for Father John H. Salko have been entrusted to the care of the Frank Kapr Funeral Home, Inc., 417 Pittsburgh Street, Scottdale.
To view on line obituary, send condolences or obtain directions, please visit www.kapr.com

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