John Chayka

John Chayka, age 91 of Fairfield, beloved husband of 58 years to Mary Chayka, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 6, 2014 at the Carolton Convalescent Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in Jersey City, NJ the son of the late Dmitri and Frances Chayka, he had been a Fairfield resident for 57 years. Mr. Chayka served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II as a flight mechanic. His PBY patrol squadron participated in the Battle of Midway and he later helped test new military aircraft while being stationed at North Island in San Diego. Following the war he joined the Civil Service and taught school in Japan for several years. He later attended Newark College of Engineering where he received an Associates Degree and also attended Fordham University. He then began a long career in defense contracting which spanned a lifetime. He was Director of Sales for Fermont, a Division of Dynamics Corporation of America and then in 1981 founded his own contracting business, AFCON Products, Inc., a company still run by his sons. He was a member of the George Alfred Smith Post #74 American Legions, V.F.W. Post 9427 and a former member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Men's Bowling League. Survivors in addition to his loving wife, Mary include three beloved sons, John (Jack) Chayka and his wife Pierrette of Cheshire, James Chayka and his wife Janet of Fairfield and Jeffrey Chayka and his wife Michelle of Apex, NC; five cherished grandchildren, Michele, Lauren, Meghan, Heather and Matthew. John will forever be remembered for his fun-loving personality and his compassionate generous heart. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, November 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield. Interment with military honors will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may call Sunday from 3-6 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior's Project, 370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the nurses and aides on the East Wing at the Carolton Convalescent Hospital for their wonderful care and compassion provided to John and his family during his stays there. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com