John Joseph Kiraly, 92, of Winchester, Virginia passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Winchester Medical Center.
Mr. Kiraly was born in 1927 in Clairton, Pennsylvania, the son of the late John and Elizabeth Kiraly. He graduated from Clairton High School in Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Combustion Engineering from the International Correspondence School. Mr. Kiraly was a veteran of the United States Navy, having served during World War II. In 1957 he organized and ran a free polio clinic in his hometown of Clairton. He worked for Carnegie Steel Works in Clairton for 15 years and was a retail manager for 29 years, opening the Winchester and Martinsburg Zayre/Ames Department Stores. He was awarded Chamber of Commerce Boss of the Year in 1982. Mr. Kiraly was a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, a former member and past president of the Lions Club, a former member of the Elks Club and Moose Lodge, and served as Marshall of the Apple Blossom Parade and chairman of the souvenir and ticket committee. He also served on the Catholic Charities Committee and Sight for the Blind. Mr. Kiraly was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church and was very involved in serving the church. He was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, served on the Bereavement Luncheon Committee, the Financial Committee, and was part of the counting teams at the church.
Mr. Kiraly married Dolores Martin on November 25, 1948 (Thanksgiving Day) in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
Surviving with his beloved wife of 70 years is a daughter, Susan St. Clair of Florence, South Carolina; grandchildren, Alex Beheler of Wilmington, North Carolina, Kara Kiraly of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Kelly Ketron of West Point, Virginia, and Amy St. Clair (Lat Ray) of Statesville, North Carolina; four great grandchildren; and many godchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Kiraly Beheler; a son, Jon S. Kiraly; sisters, Margaret Thomas, Ann Snizick, and Elizabeth Shaffer.
A rosary service will be conducted at 10:30 am on Friday at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Winchester, Virginia with a funeral mass at 11:00 am with Reverend Bjorn Lundberg officiating. A luncheon will follow the mass at Muldowney Hall. Interment will be at a later date in Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter, 8180 Greensboro Drive, #400, McLean, Virginia 22102.