Bernard “Ben” Francis
Poracky, M.D., retired Physician and Surgeon of Ogden Dunes, Ind., passed
away at home on July 23, 2014.
He was born January 29,
1924, in Whiting, Ind. Ben was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Mae
(Meyers) Poracky, RN.
He is survived by his
loving children: son John Poracky (Liz Finan) Chesterton, Ind.,
grandchildren Rachel, of Chicago, and John of Houston; daughter Jean (James)
Haley, of Oak Brook, Ill.; son Paul Poracky (Jennifer Miller), of Ogden
Dunes; grandchildren, Lara, Dana, Molly; and daughter Ann (James) Adams, of
St. Charles, Ill., grandchildren Brian, of Charlotte, No. Car., and
Elizabeth.
Ben is also survived by his
sister Dorothy (Poracky) Hoover, of Whiting, Ind., and long time caregiver
Maria Barbara Horoszko.
Ben was preceded in death
by his father John Poracky, mother Mary (Skurka) Poracky, brother Andrew
Poracky and sister-in-law Mary (Jancosek) Poracky, sister Emma Pers and John
Pers, brother-in-law, sister Ann Vrabel and George Vrabel, brother-in-law,
sister Leona Zientara and Joe Zientara, brother-in-law and sister Mary Jane
Macnak and Joe Macnak, brother-in-law.
Dr. Poracky practiced
medicine for 50 years in Northwest Indiana caring for thousands of patients,
many of whom surprised and honored him at his first retirement party,
sharing stories of how he saved their lives and offered compassionate care.
Not wanting to stay retired, Ben continued working part-time at Radiological
Associates of Northwest Indiana and at Bethlehem Steel.
Ben was an avid golfer and
member of Innsbrook Country Club and Sand Creek Country Club. He was awarded
the “Double Eagle Certificate of Recognition” by Golf Digest Magazine when
on October 10, 1971, he shot a Double Eagle on the par 5, “old” 14th hole (2
strokes on a par 5) at Innsbrook Country Club.
Ben met his late wife
Elizabeth (“Betty”), who was Valedictorian of her Nursing Class, while
serving his internship at St. Margaret Hospital. Bernard and Elizabeth were
married on November 20, 1948. Ben and Betty enjoyed traveling the globe,
golfing, and spending time with their four children, grandchildren and
friends.
Ben was a devoted member of
Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church, Portage and former parishioner of
St. Peter and Paul Church in Merrillville, Ind.
A Mass of Christian Burial
will be held on Monday, July 28, 2014, at 10 a.m. at Nativity of Our Savior
Church, 2949 Willowcreek Rd., Portage, Ind., Father Andrew Corona
officiating. Interment at Calumet Park Cemetery, 2305 W. 73rd Avenue,
Merrillville, Ind.
Friends may visit with the
family on Sunday, July 27, from 3-7 p.m. at the Burns Funeral Home, 10101
Broadway, Crown Point, Ind.
Memorials may be made to
University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation at www.cancer.uchicago.edu/help/research-foundation
on behalf of future research by Walter M. Stadler, M.D.
On line condolences can be
left at www.burnsfuneral.com.
The Poracky Family wishes
to thank Dr. Michael C. Weiss and VNA Hospice Care.
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Posted 7/25/2014
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