Mitchel Vincent Sukalski

Alexandria, VA — Mitchel Vincent Sukalski, 82, died of heart complications this past Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Inova Hospital in Alexandria. Mitch is survived by his loving wife, Elayne Sukalski of Alexandria, VA; his children, Mitchel William Sukalski (Castro Valley, CA), E. Dare Hurley (Alexandria, VA), and Alyse Sukalski (Oakland, CA); and his sisters, Lorraine McGlynn (North Whales, PA) and Celene Boggs (Concord, CA). He also leaves behind his 6 grandchildren— Cheyenne Sukalski, Sierra Sukalski, Jonathan Hurley, William Hurley, Elayna Hurley, and Joseph Hurley. Born in Philadelphia, PA in December of 1936 to Mitchell Edward Sukalski and Helen (Martin) Sukalski, Mitch was raised a good Catholic boy, defined by his keen intellect, bold spirit, and confidence. He managed to single-handedly talk his way into a spot at the prestigious St. Joseph’s Preparatory, which included an academic scholarship. Young “Mitchy” (as the elders in his Philadelphia neighborhood called him) always stood out as a character and a great storyteller. He’s remembered for one of his favorite sayings, “I may not always be right, but I’m never wrong.” His confidence and sharp mind carried him on to earn an undergraduate degree at La Salle University in Philadelphia and an MBA at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he met the love of his life, Elayne. Between the years of 1958 and 1969, Mitch proudly served his country as an officer in the US Army. His tours of duty included Germany, the Korean Peninsula, and Vietnam. Mitch was a decorated helicopter pilot, earning the rank of Major and the honor of the Distinguished Flying Cross for a daring nighttime rescue mission in an active combat zone during the Vietnam Conflict. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1969. Mitch and Elayne made their home, raised their 3 beautiful children, and built a career with McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, MO. He stayed with McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) until he retired in 1999. To all who knew Mitch, he was a great spirit, filled with kindness, confidence, love, quiet strength, conviction, humor, and a wit that could put a smile on the face of even the most serious among us. He will truly be missed. Services will be held this Friday, May 3, at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA at 4:00 PM. A visitation will precede the service at 3:00 PM. Mitch will be laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery during a military service at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations are made to The Assistance League of St. Louis alstl.org.

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Mitchel Vincent Sukalski

December 8, 1936 - April 27, 2019