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John Allen Basaraba
03/08/2024
John Allen Basaraba, (81), of DeBary, Florida, passed away on March 8, 2024.
John, fondly known as Sonny by his beloved Mother, was born to John and Anna Gulka Basaraba, on May 30, 1942, in Dickinson, North Dakota.
John attended farm school in Billings County, ND and graduated from Belfield High School. John then went on to attend business school in Rapid City, SD before enlisting into the United States Army.
John lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico for over 30 years before moving to DeBary, Florida. While in Puerto Rico John worked supplying naval ships and was later employed by AMF Bowling Corporation as a General Manager for their central Florida bowling centers.
John never knew a stranger, enjoyed family gatherings, bowling and dancing with his wife. John’s pride and joy was being “Grandpa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved giving them a “hug in a bug” as he affectionately referred to as their hugs. John enjoyed household projects and was a handy craftsman who could build just about anything. John also enjoyed racing RC cars and flying RC airplanes in his spare time.
John was an avid bowler and became highly accomplished with several perfect 300 games. John was on the Puerto Rican National bowling team and bowled in Venezuela, Columbia, and London. While attending the US ABC Nationals in Billings, MT in 2002 John received a plaque for attending his 35th national tournament.
John is survived by his wife Elaine Wright Basaraba. John is also survived by his daughter Haydee Ann Basaraba Arroyo and grandson John Michael Purcell (Puerto Rico) and daughters Tricia Davis, Kimberly Cann (Florida) and Kelly Michelle Cook (California), grandchildren Amberly Stewart, Mallory Stewart, Owen Cann, Marley Cann and great-grandchildren Alyson Warner and Caiden Cox, brother Jim (Jackie) Basaraba, sister in-law’s Lori Bentley and Leah (Steve) Deffenbaugh, brother in-law Woody (Diane) Wright, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents John and Anna Gulka Basaraba, brother Marvin Basaraba, sisters Doraleen MacKenzie, Dorothy Clark, and niece Lisa Hoffman.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Florida on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando during the 12th Annual Gators Bowling Club International Tournament and a graveside service with Military Honors will be held at the Saint Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, located 10.5 miles north of Belfield on Hwy 85, then East 4.2 miles on 25th (South Ash Coulee Rd) along the south side of the road in Billings County, ND on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 1:00 pm.