John Paul Askey

John Paul Askey, March 27, 1926 – January 3, 2024, passed away at age 97 in Gulfport, MS, after a short illness.

John was born in Windber, PA to Anna (Ruschak) and Paul John Askey, a small coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, he got permission from his father to join the Navy before his 18^th birthday, in 1944. John served his country for 23 years.  He was a Veteran of WWII and Korea. He retired from the Navy in 1967 and eventually moved to Florida in 1969.

John met his wife of 63 years, Ann “Toni” Chmiel in 1947 while on leave in Baltimore, MD, and it turned out she, also, was from Windber, PA, but they had never met. John and Ann were married in May 1948.

John led a full life, saw the world, and made many friends. He was loved and respected, not just by family, but also by the many people he met along the way.  He loved to fish and, in his later years, enjoyed a good game of poker and a good cigar.

He was predeceased by his parents, 9 brothers and sisters, and his beloved wife, Ann, who he affectionately called “Mar.”

John is survived by his two children, Paul John Askey and Antoinette (Askey) Hodges; three grandchildren, John T. Askey, Allison Askey Grahame (husband, Noah); and Emily Hodges Strickland (husband, Daniel); and, four great grandchildren, Forest, Sasha and Boone Grahame, and Anna Strickland. John was a good dad and a wonderful grandfather and great grandfather. He will be sorely missed.

The family would like to thank the Armed Forces Retirement Home, Gulfport, and, in particular, John’s poker buddies, Security, and the Nursing Staff, for their kindnesses, dedication and care during John’s almost 10 years as a resident.

John wished to be cremated and his ashes will be buried at sea, courtesy of the U.S. Navy.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Paul Askey.