Francis M. Surovick Jr.

Francis Michael Surovick Jr., 71, of Fairview, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025.

He was born on November 2, 1954, a son of the late Francis Michael Surovick Sr. and Marian Irene (Butterfield) Surovick.

Known to many as “Butch,” he was a graduate of Northwestern High School. He possessed a deep patience and respect for the land he stewarded for many years. Though the early days of creating his farming business were challenging, Butch was determined not to fail. Despite decades facing the ups and downs of his professional calling, his humility kept him unaware of his success until his retirement.

Butch was a lifelong grain farmer, raising soybeans, corn, and hay, and in later years, he added beef cattle. Fiercely independent and self-sufficient, he approached life with a keen sense of humor and quiet determination. In addition to managing the farm, he maintained a large and abundant garden with a variety of fruit trees and bushes. He and his wife took great joy in canning and preserving their harvest, and Butch was especially proud to eat throughout the winter from food his family had grown themselves.

A loving husband and father, Butch was known for his thoughtful perseverance who could stand firm when needed. He was a lifelong learner, always seeking better ways to accomplish the tasks and lessons before him. He remodeled portions of his home and crafted furniture entirely on his own-felling trees, milling the lumber, and planing each board.

Well read and thoughtful, Butch delighted others with his anecdotes and knowledge of nature. He deeply appreciated music, ranging from 1970s rock and roll-where he excelled at naming the artists of most songs-to classical music. He proudly continued a fishing derby tradition begun by his father, held in conjunction with the Northwestern Sportsman’s Club.

Gifted with a mechanical mind, Butch could retrofit or repair nearly anything set before him. He took particular pride in a tractor he had owned and repaired many times over the decades he owned it, unaware of its rarity until early this year. That tractor, a one-of-a-kind prototype International 54-88, was eventually sold at auction to a private collector. He was actively involved in a farmers buyers group, and he served as a director and then the longtime board chair of the Erie Conservation District. He was also a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

In the summer months, Butch enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson along the back roads. Each fall, he welcomed family and friends to his land for hunting season, creating memories rooted in tradition and togetherness.

Butch was a humble and successful man who cherished each sunset as it crossed the land before him. He was a loving and kind husband and father who understood the importance of small details. His heart was full, grounded in the beauty and grandeur of a simple life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Adam Surovick.

He will be greatly missed by his family which include his wife, Karen (Grygier) Surovick whom he married on June 1, 1974; daughters, Leslie McGee (Brian) and Kelly Groner (Patrick); daughter-in-law, Bridget Surovick; sisters, Rosemarie Thrasher (David), Joanna Twichel (Gary) and Jane Sauers; sisters-in-law, Holly Hafner (Bill) and Tina Adams; brother-in-law Scott Grygier (Nancy); grandchildren, Finn McGee, Everly McGee, Kassidy Groner, Sadie Groner, Lucy Groner, Riley Surovick; and close friends and confidants, Fred Johnson (Cindy) and Andy Huya.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Future Farmers of America Organization, 6060 FFA Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46278-1370 or to the Erie Humane Society, 2407 Zimmerly Rd, Erie, PA 16506

Friends may call on Monday, December 22, 2025 from 3:00 pm to the time of service at 6:00 pm, at the Edder Family Funeral Home 309 Main St. E. Girard.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis M. Surovick Jr., please visit our floral store.