John Paul Chihorek died at 79 years old in his home in Mission Viejo on May 27th, 2023 after battling lung cancer.

John was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to Stanley and Caroline Chihorek on June 22nd, 1943. He is the second of three children.

John completed his undergraduate degree at Penn State University participating in Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps and later achieved his master's degree from Sacramento State University.

After Penn State, John was a decorated Naval officer serving as lieutenant on the USS Hubbard as operations manager and ship engineer. He was awarded a Vietnam service medal, a silver star, and three bronze stars. He completed four years and eight months of service.

After his honorable discharge, John continued his career as an aerospace engineer working on many defense contracts for firms such as Logicon, Loral, Lockheed Martin, and Ford Aerospace. John played a pivotal role in such systems as forward-looking infrared for the F/A-18 Hornet and the Global Positioning System. After more than 30 years in the industry, John retired.

John enjoyed travel, camping, fishing, and visited nearly every state in the U.S. and countries in every continent in the world.

John is survived by his wife Cristina Chihorek, his sister Carol Marie Brown, his children Jonathan Chihorek, David Chihorek, Crista Burton, Daniel Chihorek, and ten grandchildren with an eleventh on the way.