John Halapchuk

John "Happy" Halapchuk, passed away on August 14, 2024, in the loving arms of his devoted daughter, Jammie Lockhart. While receiving hospice care in the Community McGraw Hospice facility in Jacksonville, Florida, Happy was surrounded by his lifelong friends, who warmly shared beautiful stories of fun times with Happy. Happy was born in Elbert, West Virginia, on 17 April 1930, but was raised in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He retired at Jax's Beach in 1963, where he lived out the remainder of his life.

Happy proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1947-1967, as a Navy Flight Engineer, during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. After he retired from the U.S. Navy in 1967, he started his second career at the Selva Marina Country Club in Atlantic Beach, Florida. He started as a bartender and eventually rose to the position of General Manger before retiring in 1992, after 24 years at the Selva Marina Country Club. Happy spent the next 18 years working construction with friends both in Florida and out-of-state. More than anything, Happy enjoyed spending quality time with his family, walking the beach, golfing with friends and spending time with his church family at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Happy is survived by his daughter, Jammie Lockhart (Joel), son, John T. Halapchuk (Jill), granddaughters: Jamie Halapchuk Casey, Mandy Lockhart, Jolie and Lilly Halapchuk, and his brother Robert Boyd. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph Halapchuk, Sr., Anna (Petrick/Patrick) Halapchuk, brothers Joseph Halapchuk, Jr., Jack Halapchuk and sisters Anne Halapchuk Gormley and Helen Halapchuk Vescera. A Memorial Service with full military honors will be held at 2:30 PM 20 September 2024, at the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.