John Andrew Suren

John A. Suren, 95, passed away on Friday, December 4, 2015, at Greenfield Reflections in Strasburg, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Patricia Lindsley; three brothers; and two sisters. He is survived by daughters, Patricia Bankert and her husband, Bill, of Winchester, Virginia; Zan Deitz and her husband, John, of Charleston, South Carolina; Marti Evans and her husband, Joe, of Manassas, Virginia; and Joann Reed and her husband, Kevin, of Culpeper, Virginia. Mr. Suren is also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A graduate of Shelton High School in Shelton, Connecticut, Mr. Suren was president of his class and earned 12 letters in athletics. Mr. Suren received his B.S. and M.A. degrees at the University of Alabama. He played football and baseball at the University and was a Phi Delta Kappa student. Mr. Suren and his wife had a great love for the University throughout their entire lives, especially to Crimson Tide football teams. Roll Tide! Mr. Suren and his wife met while they were in the service during World War II. They were married in Newton, New Jersey on November 30, 1946. Mr. Suren retired in 1985 after 38 years as an athletic coordinator, coach, and teacher. He also served as a baseball scout for the Cleveland Indians. He spent 26 years in the Prince William County School System. He was the first athletic coordinator at the original Gar-Field High School, which opened in 1953. In addition to coaching football and basketball, Mr. Suren coached and scouted hundreds of baseball players, an experience he greatly enjoyed. Mr. Suren is a Veteran of World War II. He received the VFW Medal of Honor and the American Legion Citation for Meritorious Service. When he retired in 1985, President Ronald Reagan honored him with an autographed photo which he delighted in showing to people. He was also proud of an autographed photo he received from Coach Don Shula on the occasion of his record setting 325th victory as a professional football coach. In 2010, the Prince William County School Board voted to name the Gar-Field High School baseball field, John A. Suren field, an honor which Mr. Suren deeply appreciated. During the course of his life, Mr. Suren was a member of the NEA, the VEA, and the PWEA. He was commissioner of Babe Ruth baseball, a director of a boys and girls club, served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA, and was a recreation director. Mr. Suren also served on numerous educational committees. He was a charter member of the Woodbridge Lions Club. Mr. Suren and his wife loved to travel, read, and spend precious time with family and friends. They toured the United States twice, each time for six weeks. Mr. Suren received great pleasure and was humbled by the visits he received from individuals he coached and taught since the beginning of his career, many of whom kept in contact with him until his death. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas. Interment will follow at Stonewall Memory Gardens, 12004 Lee Highway, Manassas, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children’s Miracle Network at Children’s Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20010 in the name of Brooke Rosenberg in memory of her great-grandfather, John Suren. Family and friends are welcome to donate online in Mr. Suren’s honor using the following link. http://childrensnational.org/giving/partners/childrens-miracle-network#dvDonateForm

John Andrew Suren

November 2, 1920 - December 4, 2015