John P. Tokarz

John Paul Tokarz, affectionately known as “Tokie”, died Tuesday morning, February 8th, 2011, at his home in St, Michaels, Maryland, where he was under Hospice care. John was 96 years old and lived a wonderful, full life rich with family and friends. Born in Archibald , Pennsylvania, on October 27, 1914, John was raised in West Point, Virginia, the oldest of seven sons. His parents were Joseph and Julia Tokarz. John was married for sixty- five years to his loving wife, Jeanne Gorman Tokarz, who died in 2006. John was a 1935 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute where he held many offices, played in the band, and was a member of the basketball team. John was an employee of Eastman Kodak Company for forty-five years where he began as a chemical engineer and retired as a Vice President. He spent the majority of his career in Kingsport, Tennessee, where he was very active in the community and his Church, St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. John served as Chairman of The Red Cross, was president of The Kiwanis Club, President of the Tricities Arts Council, member of the Tennessee Arts Commission, and a Boy Scout Leader. John served as first lieutenant, Army Chemical Corps during World War II; the National Production Authority during the Korean War; and in later years as Chairman of the Southeastern Chapter of The National Defense Executive Reserve. John and Jeanne retired to St. Michaels, Maryland, in 1976, where he was a docent at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and the St. Ann and Joachim Society of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, St. Michaels Mission Church, and a member of the American Legion. John was also a member of the Academy of the Arts and won several awards for his watercolors. He was an avid gardener, and “Tokie” and Jeanne were magical on the dance floor. John is survived by four brothers, Raymond, Joe, Pete and Tommy - all graduates of VPI and living in the Tidewater area. He is also survived by his four children: The Honorable Joanne Wills of St. Michaels, Maryland and Ocean Reef, Florida; Mary Dooher of Arlington, Virginia; Marguerite DeLaney of Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Patrick Tokarz of Alexandria, Virginia; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. There will be a visitation for John at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 200 S. Harrison Street, Easton from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Friday evening. A funeral liturgy for Mr. Tokarz will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 10:00 am at St. Michaels Mission Church, 109 Lincoln Ave., St. Michaels. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Cordova. Memorial donations may be made to Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601, www.talbothospice.org.

John P. Tokarz

October 27, 1914 - February 8, 2011