Joseph W. Shuras Sr., 92, of Milford, husband of Laura L. (Dota) Shuras and son of the late William Shuras and Blanche (Sochon) Marchuk. He was also the step-son of the late Kerry Marchuk. He attended Milford Public Schools eventually earning his G.E.D.
Mr. Shuras was a veteran of World War II and served in the 36th Infantry Div. He attained the rank of Corporal and served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign. He was wounded by sniper fire and hospitalized during the African Campaign. Later rejoining his company. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry badge. He also received shrapnel wounds to his lower right leg area. He was later captured and held in a German Prisoner of War Camp for 11 ½ months. He was liberated by Russian Troops shortly after Hitler gave the order to execute all P.O.W’s.
Mr. Shuras was also rewarded the P.O.W. medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Unit Medal, American Campaign Medal, good conduct Medal and the World Victory Medal.
Mr. Shuras retired in 1990 for the United Parcel Service in Ashland where he was employed as a mechanic for 21 years. Previously he was employed as a automobile mechanic at Calzone Rambler in Milford for 20 years and was also employed by the Draper Corporation on Hopedale.
Mr. Shuras is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Laura, his son retired Milford Police Officer Joseph W. Shuras Jr, his wife Kathleen and grandson Cody Joseph Shuras. His sister-in-law Lucy (Moschilli) Speroni and his brother-in-law Frank Speroni. He is the brother of the late Blanche DeRoche Hutchison and Helen Niro. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews including, Karen Ann (Schall) Morelli, Susan DeRoche Texiera and Michael Niro all of Milford.
He was a member of the D.A.V. Chapter 6, life member of the Medway V.F.W. Post 1526, member of the Ex-P.O.W.’s Chapter 1 in Worcester and the I.A.M. Unions. He was a lifelong member of the St. Mary of the Assumption Church and in his later years will be fondly remembered for his passing of the collection basket at Sunday Mass.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Monday, March 27, 2017 at 10 A.M. at the St. Mary of the Assumption Church on Winter St. Milford MA. A calling hour will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 A.M. at the Consigli-Ruggerio Funeral Home, 46 Water St., Milford. The burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery on Medway Rd in Milford