John Michael Sternad, 63, GSGT-Retired-USMC died at his residence in Tampa, FL on August 27, 2018 from natural causes. He was born on February 22, 1955 in Jersey City, NJ to John A. and Ann V. (Postemski) Sternad and was a 20 years plus veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

During his military career, he served as an Intelligence Specialist; Infantry Unit Leader; a Mortar man and a Reconnaissance Man-Parachute and scuba. He was awarded a Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation Joint Service Achievement Medal; Service Commendation Medal; Southwest Service Medal w/ one (1) Star; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 3 Stars; Good Conduct Medal w/ 5 Stars; National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 Star; Letter of Appreciation; Meritorious Mast; Navy/Marine Corps Parachute Badge; Infantry Training School; Jungle Environment Survival School; Amphibious Reconnaissance School; First Aid Training Course; Scuba School; Sensor School; Airborne School; Demolition Course; Formal School Instructor School; U.S> Navy Diver Insignia; Rifle Marksmanship Badge; Sharp Shooter; Pistol Marksmanship Badge-Sharp Shooter; Water Safety/Survival Instructor Course; Amphibious Intelligence Specialist Course; US Army Terrorism Course; Intelligence Specialists Course; MAGTF Intelligence Collection Management Course and the Mobile Counterterrorism Analysis Course.

His service is 6:00 PM, Friday-November 2, 2018 at the Grace Family Church- Waters Campus-5100 West Waters Avenue, Tampa, FL 33734 with Pastor Josh Corbin, to officiate. Full military honors by the United States Marine Corps will occur at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102^nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida in the Spring of 2019.

GSGT Sternad is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Susan in June 2018 and is survived by a loving family.