Michael John Soroka died of heart failure on March 4th at the age of 96 with daughter Jan Beall at his side.

Michael was born to Peter and Anna Soroka on May 28, 1921.  He graduated from Coatesville High School in 1940 where he played football, basketball and baseball.   After graduation Michael continued his lifelong love of baseball by playing in both city and suburban leagues.

After Pearl Harbor, Michael volunteered for the United States Navy.  He did his boot training in Newport RI and was assigned to the destroyer USS Niblack.  Michael's initial assignment as a spotter in the crows nest was quickly changed to Baker when the Captain discovered his prewar talents acquired while working in a Polish bakery after school.  During battle stations his combat position was in the number one turret.

While on board the USS Niblack, this destroyer provided convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic and earned five battle stars in the Mediterranean.  The Niblack fought in the invasion of North Africa, the battles for Syracuse and Gela in Sicily, the invasion of Angio where the Niblack destroyed numerous German tanks attempting to repulse the invasion, the invasion of Southern France   and battles at St. Elmo and St Madria where the Niblack helped destroy massive railroad guns.  In total the Niblack sank three submarines and shot down five enemy planes and rescued crews from British and American vessels sunk by German Submarines.  Michael was a Chief Petty Officer and was attending Chief Commissary School when the war ended.

Michael returned to Coatesville where he resumed employment with Lukens Steel where he had increasing responsibility in the engineering department.  He retired in 1983 as a first-class machinist supervising crews laying out templates for large projects such as for nuclear submarines and the World Trade Center.

After his return to civilian life he met the love of his life Helen Jean Kulick and they were married in May 1947 in Collegeville Pennsylvania.  The union resulted in two daughters Beverly Helene and Janet Marie.

Michael was predeceased in death by his parents, his brothers Bronco, Rudolph and John, his sister Mary, wife Helen and daughter Beverly.  Michael is survived by his daughter Janet Beall and her husband John, their two children Sarah and Susan and two great grandchildren David and Avery.

Michael spent his last years 11 years at Brookdale facilities where he enjoyed playing on the pool team and watching sports.  He had an exceptionally good year rooting for his two favorite teams:  the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Astros.  Michael was a devout Catholic, lifetime member of the VFW, Knights of Columbus, Disabled America Veterans and Tin Can Sailors.

There will be visitation beginning at 5:00 PM and a vigil service beginning at 7:00 PM with Deacon Kevin Cascarelli officiating and a Rosary led by the North Houston Serrans to began at 7:30 at Klein Funeral Home at 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring TX 77379 on Wednesday March 21st.   Funeral Liturgy will be at held 10:00 AM Thursday March 22nd at Christ the Good Shepherd, 18511 Klein Church Road, Spring TX 77379 Father James Burkart as Celebrant.  The  interment will follow at 2:15pm the Houston Veterans Cemetery (procession will leave at 1:30pm).  In lieu of flowers please make a donation to TOMAGWA Health Care Ministries, 455 School Street, Tomball Texas 77375