John Rankin Tuerk (Jack), a longtime resident of the Plandome/Manhasset area, passed away Feb. 10, 2005. He was 84 years old.

Born in Bayside, NY on Feb. 9, 1921, Jack was the son of Benjamin Tuerk and Edith Aitchison Tuerk. He is preceded in death by both parents, his stepmother, Berta Hopkins Tuerk and by his brother Ben Tuerk Jr. MD.

Jack graduated from Bayside High School in 1939 and spent most of his younger years in that Queens County community. During World War II he enlisted in the United States Army and saw extensive action in Europe while serving with the 27th Armored Infantry Battalion of the 9th Armored Division. He received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained and was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action in the Battle of the Bulge.

Back in civilian life, Jack worked at the New York Daily News for 39 years. Most of his career with The News was spent as a promotional copywriter. He retired in 1988.

Jack belonged to American Legion Post 304 and always looked forward to marching in the local Memorial Day Parade. He was an active member of the Community Reformed Church in Manhasset and served there in many different capacities.

Jack was a very caring person who always put others first. He firmly believed that his purpose in life was to "look out for the other guy." His years of kindness to others were returned in abundance by his many friends and neighbors who looked after him when his own health started to fail.

Jack is survived by his many friends at The Community Reformed Church in Manhasset and by two cousins, Phillip Felleman of Tucson, AZ and Bruce Aitchison of The Woodlands, TX.

Per his request, Jack was cremated and his ashes were buried in the family plot at Flushing Cemetery during a private ceremony. A memorial service celebrating Jack's life will be conducted.

Benjamin "Ben" Otruba died on Dec. 21, 2004 of heart failure. He was 85. He was a resident of Auburndale, FL since 1972. For 30 years he owned and operated Otruba Construction in Manhasset. He was an Army Air Force Veteran who served during World War II.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Barbara Otruba and his stepmother, Anne Otruba. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marie Victoria Otruba, of Auburndale, FL; sons: Benjamin, Jr. (Wendy), Huntington; Robert (Judith) Port Washington; Peter (Jean) Centerport, Jeffrey (Kathy) Lindenhurst; Richard (Jacqueline) Miami, FL; and daughters Barbara (Dennis "Dale") Bass and Rosemary Otruba of Auburndale, FL. He is survived by nine grandchildren. A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 24, 2004 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Winter Haven, FL.