John Faeo Jr.

John Faeo Jr., 81, died at his Wasilla home on May 13, 2008 of natural causes.

A visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday, May 16, at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, 2000 Arctic Blvd., Anchorage, with a service to follow at 10 a.m. A celebration of life will follow the funeral service in Artim Hall. Burial will be held at Fort Richardson National Cemetery at a later date.

Faeo was born in Hazleton, Penn., on April 18, 1927. He attended high school in his home town Hazleton. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served for two years aboard the U.S. Kearsarge and received a World War II medal for his service.

Faeo, with his good friend Vince Petrill, drove the Alcan Highway in 1948 to come to Alaska. He went to work at the Alaska Railroad. After a brief period of working he returned to Pennsylvania where he met and married Elizabeth Jean Eck. Together they moved to Alaska in 1953 and enjoyed each other’s love and encouragement for the next 55 years.

Faeo began working on his homestead property at Point MacKenzie in 1959. Every day spent there was a hard day’s work, which often was pleasantly eventful and enjoyable with his family. He was an active hunter, trapper, fisherman and all-around outdoorsman.

His family wrote, “John was a fun-loving and compassionate man whose greatest joy was spending time with his family at the homestead. He instilled the importance of his values and responsibilities to his family who will follow in his unforgettable footsteps.”

He was preceded in death by his son Thomas E. Faeo. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth J. Faeo; son John D. Faeo; daughters Elizabeth A. Faeo and Donna M. Faeo; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Nicholas of Myra building fund, with condolences being mailed to PO Box 875360, Wasilla, AK 99687.

Arrangements were with Janssen’s Evergreen Memorial Chapel.