John E. Mickaliger

Longtime Riverhead resident John E. Mickaliger died at home Jan. 25. He was 96.

He was born Feb. 2, 1915, in Aquebogue to Katarzyna (Trojanowska) and Martin Mikolajczyk.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from January 1942 through October 1945 aboard the USS Bunker Hill, one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the U.S. Navy, and attained the rank of master technical sergeant. He survived the May 1945 Japanese kamikaze attacks on the ship, which lost hundreds of her crew, becoming one of the most heavily damaged carriers to survive the war.

Mr. Mickaliger married Cathleen Doroski on Nov. 12, 1950, in Cutchogue. He worked as a route salesman for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Westhampton.

He was a member of the Marine Corps League and the USS Bunker Hill Association. He enjoyed camping, hiking, canoeing, birdwatching and traveling, according to family members.

Mr. Mickaliger is survived by his wife; his sons, Michael (Judy), of Maryland, and James (Karen), of Riverhead; his daughter, Kathryn, of California; his grandchildren, Meredith Mickaliger and Jon and Richard Press; and his great-grandchildren, Joseph and Elsa Press. He was predeceased by his brothers, Louis, Alex, Charles, Martin, George and Frank, and his sister, Marion.

A service was held Jan. 28 at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead, Father Robert officiating. Interment was at the church cemetery. Arrangements were handled by McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home in Riverhead.

Donations may be made to East End Hospice or St. Isidore R.C. Church.

This is a paid notice.