Edward J. Starinchak, M.D.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Edward J. Starinchak, M.D., 77, of Granville will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at The Church of St. Edward the Confessor, 785 Newark-Granville Road, Granville with Father Michael Gribble presiding assisted by the pastor, Msgr. Paul P. Enke. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville.

Dr. Starinchak, a well-known, admired surgeon, an amazing green-thumb and an incredibly generous person with a blue collar work ethic, "Doc" always had a sparkle in his eye and lived every aspect of his life in a large way, died unexpectedly Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the Case Western University Hospital in Cleveland. He was born May 25, 1936 in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Andrew and Rose (Hudak) Starinchak. Ed served as a Captain in the U.S. Army and  retired from the Army Reserve in 1971.

A Denison University graduate, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Dr. Starinchak left his mark as "Bulldozer" as an All-American football player from 1954-58 under the direction of Coach Keith Piper. Upon medical school graduation from The Ohio State University, where he was known as "Scrub," he completed his internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin in the field of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and later did his Pathology residency at Duke University. For many years, Dr. Starinchak practiced in Newark and worked clinics in Mt. Vernon. His work involved a lot of complex surgery over the years and groundbreaking work with lasers.

Dr. Starinchak was a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and the American Medical Association. Many knew him as a huge fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns and he also greatly enjoyed many facets of organic gardening, farming and preparing food like his deer jerky, hot peppers and sauerkraut. He had a great love for animals and most recently, his inseparable companion, Cindy, his Black Lab. And much of his personal satisfaction came Fran's ethnic and gourmet cooking and by sharing the fruits of his labor with long-time friends and family. A hero, friend, a man of the outdoors or loved-one, his masterful skills as a surgeon, legendary generosity, boyish twinkle in his eye, and contagious smile, will be more than missed. They live on as testimony to his legacy in the many he has deeply touched over the years.

Surviving are his wife of 51+ years, Frances (Kocinski) Starinchak of Granville; sons and daughter-in-law, Edward Starinchak of Bellingham, WA, and Joe and Kelly Starinchak of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Bela and Jonah Starinchak of Alexandria, VA; brother, Andrew Starinchak of Chicago, IL; sister, Rosemary Danylchak of N. Royalton, OH; brother-in-law, Chester Kocinski of Hyder AK; sister-in-law, Patricia Carr of Kona, HI; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one brother, Ernie Starinchak.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M., Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at The Church of St. Edward the Confessor where a prayer service will be held at 2:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to College of Medicine at Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, 660 Ackerman Rd., 6th Floor, Rm. 651, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218 or Licking Memorial Health Foundation, 1320 West Main St., Newark, Ohio 43055. Arrangements are in the care of McPEEK-HOEKSTRA FUNERAL HOME in Granville. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.