Captain Michael Joseph Vuksta MD, USN (Ret.) passed away on July 5, 2017 in Pensacola, FL. He was 91 years old, and was raised a Byzantine Catholic.

"Doc" was born in Pittsburgh, PA on April 25, 1926. After moving to Youngstown, OH as a child, he graduated from Chaney High School in 1944 and then enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a Pharmacist's Mate 2/C during WWII. Upon discharge from the Navy after the war, he graduated from Youngstown State University in 1949 with a B.A. degree in Pre-Medical Science. Within 1 month he was recalled to the Korean War where he served as a corpsman. Upon discharge from the Navy in 1952, he entered graduate school at The Ohio State University and was accepted to the Ohio State University College of Medicine where he graduated in the Class of 1957. His internship and 4-year Surgical Residency was completed at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH. He also attended the University of Pennsylvania for Post-graduate training courses in General Surgery and Basic Sciences.

He opened his private practice as a Physician-Surgeon in General Surgery in 1962, becoming certified by the American Board of Surgery in 1964. He served as Director of Surgical Training there until 1972 as he felt teaching was a way to give back to his profession. He obtained certification in numerous medical and professional societies including being an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Northeast Ohio University College of Medicine (NEOUCOM). Throughout his career, he served on over 50 national, state and local boards, professional organizations and civic groups. As a true community leader, he was selfless in his devotion to the people he worked with, the area he lived in and to anyone in need. His door was always open.

His love for Sports Medicine turned into a desire to teach athletic trainers, coaches, and sports professionals the best and newest ways to improve the quality of care given to athletes. Following his love of sports and especially football, he worked tirelessly with high schools and colleges in northeast Ohio, treating athletes from over 30 schools and professional football teams. He was the team physician at YSU for 32 years and at Ursuline High School for 27 years. He treasured his time with all the athletes and was passionate about securing scholarships for students. He personally recruited or recommended student athletes in the Youngstown area for scholarships all over the country. He also instituted drug testing programs in area schools to maintain integrity and belonged to many Sports Medicine organizations and associations, including the Athletic Sports Hall of Fame for both Ursuline and YSU. He was a true fan of The Ohio State University and enjoyed recruiting athletes for his good friend and mentor Coach Woody Hayes. Doc was well known for braving the cold Ohio weather in a short sleeved, white shirt and being very vocal on the sidelines at local football games.

Upon closing his private practice in 1989, he finally achieved a lifelong dream of becoming an active duty Navy doctor. After years of reserve duty, he volunteered to return to active duty at the age of 63 to teach Micro-vascular surgery and do medical research for the Navy at Oakland Naval Hospital and teach USN Surgical residents. During this tour of duty, the Gulf War erupted and he was deployed on the USS Mercy to the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm to act as Head of the Surgical team. As the oldest crew member on the ship, he received national attention due to returning to active duty at his age.

As a reservist, he trained medical personnel in Reserve Units all over the United States. He authored training books, accepted assignments on ships, carriers, Naval Hospitals and training facilities. Happiest at sea, he did extra duty just to be on the water. He finally retired as a Captain with 49 years of combined service in 1993.

Those who knew and loved Doc remember him as a great story teller and prankster. One of his most famous pranks made him a legend in Youngstown as "the Ghost of the Westside" in 1949 as he hid his true identity for decades. He also loved to golf, fish and follow his favorite teams, YSU and OSU. But his love of music, from classical to polkas, found him singing and dancing at every wedding, party and event he attended.

He was a devoted member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Youngstown, serving on the Board of Trustees, acting on the Advisory committee and supporting the church and its programs.

After retiring to Pensacola in 1993, he continued supporting the community by participation in the Navy League, Fleet Reserve Association, Avant Garde Krewe of Military Personnel, Retired Officers Association, the Warrington Elks BP 2108 Lodge and other Pensacola organizations.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy Bosak Vuksta; his parents, Michael and Mary Vuksta; his brother, Joseph G. Vuksta; and his favorite Boston Terrier, Buster, whom he said was crazy to put up with all the kids.

He is survived by his four children, Patricia (Douglas) Vrazel of Rockport, TX, Michael Vuksta, Carol Vuksta Davis and Janet (Randy) James of Delaware, OH. He also leaves behind 3 grandchildren, Patrick Vrazel, Jacqueline Vrazel Bell and Caitlin Davis and a great- granddaughter, Hannah Leigh Bell.

Visitation will be held 12:00noon Monday, July 17, 2017 until a Funeral Cortege to depart Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, 2276 Airport Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32504 at 12:30pm for a Funeral Mass to begin at 1:00pm at Lady of Loretto Catholic Chapel, NAS Pensacola, FL with Fr. Pete McLaughlin celebrant. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola. The family welcomes active and retired military personnel to attend the service at the Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Michael's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Hospital, or a military organization supporting our brave troops.

"Fair winds and following seas"