Obituary of Geraldine D Hricik

Geraldine D. Hricik died peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2022 at her daughter’s home in Greensburg, PA. Geraldine, who was affectionately known as Gerry, was born on May 27, 1935 in Calumet, PA. She was the eldest daughter of the late Andrew and Ann Wasil Firment. Gerry graduated from Hurst High School in Norvelt and was a proud graduate of the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh. Gerry worked at Latrobe Hospital prior to dedicating her life to raising her five children and nephew. Gerry was the dear wife of her husband of 53 years, Tom Hricik, who proceded her in death in 2010. Gerry prided herself on her health and appearance and she was never ill in the hospital until she was in her 80s. All through her life, she maintained an extensive network of close friends and large extended family. Gerry would meet monthly with her “card club” friends whom she had known for over 50 years. She was always the heart and soul of family events. Gerry had a deep and lifelong Roman Catholic faith as a member of St. Florian Parish in United. As a sign of her faith, she was appointed by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt in 2006 as a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. An honor she shared with her husband, Tom, as he was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. She was a lifelong member of the First Catholic Slovak Union (FCSU) Branch 181 of United. She attended every FCSU convention with her husband Tom, FCSU President Emeritus. They also traveled together to Slovakia where they met and represented American Slovaks to Slovak presidents, ministers, and Slovak clergy including Slovak Cardinal Jozef Tomko. Gerry was also a member of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (FCSLA). Gerry’s favorite pastimes were shopping for the best deals, traveling, and dining out. For decades, Gerry and her husband Tom would go to 6:00 a.m. mass at St. Vincent Basilica, out for breakfast, and to the local flea market. She was always prepared to give a gift to someone for their birthday, for Christmas or just to make them feel welcome. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Gerry was predeceased by her husband, Thomas M. Hricik, her grandson, Robert Borde, and son-in-law, Ruben Silva. She is survived by her five children, Mary Borde (Art), of St. Augustine, FL, Michael Hricik (Vicki) of Mount Pleasant, Beth Silva of Greensburg, Thomas Hricik (Brandi) of St. Augustine, FL, Stephen J. Hricik (Lori) of Germany; nine grandchildren, Arthur Borde, Michael and Paul Hricik, Mary Ella and Thomas Hricik, Drew Silva, Anne-Sophie Hricik, Alison and Parker Chambers and nephew, Stephen M. Hricik, whom she helped raise after his mother died. She is also survived by her eight siblings, Jacqui Pinkerton, Conrad Firment, Andrew Firment, Dorie Minerd, Mary Helen Kulha, Tom Firment, Tim Firment and Margie Firment. Family and friends will be received in the Jay A. Hoffer Funeral Home, Norvelt, from 2:30 to 4:00 P.M. and 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Thursday August 11, 2022. Geraldine’s Funeral Mass will be Friday 11 A.M. August 12, 2022 at St. Florian Church, United, with Rev. John A. Sedlak, Celebrant. Interment to follow in the St. Florian Cemetery, Trauger. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gerry’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org or by mail at Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Gerry donated to St.Jude’s Hospital for decades.