Obituary of Alexander Tarasuk

Alexander Tarasuk was ninety-one when he passed away from natural causes on December 27 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Born March 4, 1923 to Nicholas and Nellie Tarasuk and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, he later moved to Lake Worth Florida. A meticulous machinist, he had his own machine shop when younger and lastly worked for Pratt and Whitney in Florida where he retired in 1985. Alex taught himself how to figure skate on ponds near his childhood home. His five daughters remember the spins, leaps and intricate figures he carved on the ice at the Meadows in Danvers, Massachusetts during winter ice-skating outings. He and his brother Joe joined the Civilian Conservation Corp in their youth opting for the group with skis because they could get a free pair of boots. He loved nature and enjoyed hiking and camping with his family and the adventure of visiting new places. He taught his daughters how to fish and make great snow men and took them skiing at Hamilton Ski Hill. He played the harmonica and loved music and singing and was a yodeler. He could cut up a rug like nobody’s business when it came to ballroom dancing and enjoyed square dancing. He was a golfer and had accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one twice. He took up motorcycle riding, and later bowling. He visited Hawaii several times during his retirement and loved Hawaiian music, especially the sound of the Hawaiian steel guitar. He leaves behind five daughters: Elaine Donoghue (Joseph) of Baltimore, MD, Judith Schenk (Christopher) of Wheat Ridge, CO, Suzanne Kenney (Eric) of Beverly, MA, Carlene Tarasuk (Robert) of Hernando, FL, and Sheila Crotts (Richard) of Danvers, MA; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph, sister Helen Halbick, twin sister Mary Maternowski, and his dear friend Jean DeStephano. His family is most grateful for all the staff at Mountain Vista Health Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado who cared dearly for him during his last years. Services will be held at the Jefferson Unitarian Church chapel at 14350 West 32nd Ave. in Golden on Saturday, January 17 at 10:30 AM.