Obituary of Patrick Karinja

Patrick Joseph Karinja, Jr.(April 8, 1922) died peacefully August 27, 2017 at the age of 95 in the home of his daughter Gail Wade in Clearwater, Florida. Mr. Karinja was born to Pasko Karinja, Sr. (1881-1955) and Maria Puhov Karinja (1884-1970) in Sali, Dugi Otok, Yugoslavia, in 1922, the youngest of five. His siblings included Ruzica (Rose) (1910-2003), Marijan (1914-1945), who died in World War II while in the Yugoslavian Army, Ivan Mladen (1918-1944) who died in World War II in the Yugoslavian Army, and Bernadina (1920-2006). Until the recent death of his wife of 69 years, Jean Stapleton Karinja, Mr. Karinja was a lifelong resident of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Mr. Karinja served honorably in Company B, 319th Engineer Combat Battalion, 3rd Army. During his World War II service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for bravery, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Award. For over 50 years, Mr. Karinja was a member of the Oceanic Fire Department in Rumson, NJ. He is survived by his seven children, Karen Karinja, Clearwater, FL; Jan Adler, Nixa, MO; Rick Karinja, Oceanport, NJ; Mark Karinja, West Orange, NJ; Jeff Karinja, Los Angeles, CA; Gail Wade, Clearwater, FL; and Kurt Karinja, Long Branch, NJ; ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Services will be held in Middletown New Jersey, with Pfleger Funeral Home 732-671-1326 assisting the family.. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Belcher Road Chapel in Clearwater is in charge of local arrangements.. Service Information