Clement “Sonny” Paul Murdzak, 79, of Ojai, California, passed away on May 17, 2017. Clem was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, to John and Mary Murdzak on August 26, 1937. After graduating Homestead Senior High in 1955, he served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960 where he trained in air artillery and radar defense systems. Noted for excelling in his training and duties, Clem also played for the Army Baseball League while stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. He returned to Pennsylvania after active service and started a family, moving to Ventura County, California, in 1964. Here, Clem began a long career with the Westinghouse Aerospace & Electronics Division; his work included several high-security military projects such as the F16 fighter jet. He became recognized as one of the most highly-respected quality-control engineers in the industry and later joined Elmo Semiconductor Corp. as Vice President of Quality. Clem enjoyed golfing, horse races, westerns, cars (a certain black Cadillac he owned in particular), model railroading, summer trips with family at Slippery Rock Campground, Pennsylvania, fishing and chatting over evening campfires with a sip of brandy, and visiting his "happy place," Lake Tahoe, along the California-Nevada border.
An everyday hero to his family and friends, Clem was known as a “great guy” with determination, fairness and wit. His tough resolve long concealed the severity of his illnesses and even expressed itself in his final hours as he joked “This sh*t is for the birds” with a smile. His love of his family was reflected as those closest to him came and embraced him in his final moments. He is survived by his wife Pat Murdzak, his children Sam Murdzak, Kelly Harrison, Chris Murdzak, Wendy Roehr, David Stufkosky and Jason Stufkosky, his sisters Rita Funyak and Paulette Sariscak, brother John Allen Murdzak, his grandchildren Chantal Cruz, Vince Murdzak, Tyler Roehr, Chaz Contreras, Sacha Contreras, Oliver Stufkosky and James Finley Stufkosky, two great grandchildren Dominick Ellington and Isabella Cruz, and an extended family of in-laws and friends. Clem will be sorely missed but his presence will continue to be felt and grace the lives of all whose hearts he touched.
A vigil will be held Friday, June 2, 4:00—8:00 p.m. at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura, with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be Saturday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 185 St. Thomas Dr., Ojai, with burial taking place at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, 2052 Howard Rd., Camarillo, followed by a reception on site. Arrangements are under the care of JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, 757 E. Main, Ventura.