John W. Malek, Sr., 91, of Brenizer (Blairsville), passed away on Monday, June 1, 2015. Mr. Malek was born December 7, 1923 in Patton, Westmoreland County, PA, son of the late William and Agnes (Kosmola) Malek. He was married on July 6, 1946 to the late Anne Joan Simanovich who was his loving wife for almost 50 years. He retired from the John F. Casey Construction Company where he was a union heavy construction foreman and carpenter. He was a member of SS Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, a 50 year member of the Carpenters Union Local 2274, and a member of the Greek Club and Kingston Club. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a staff sergeant and Headquarters Detachment Ships Complement Medic. His volunteer work spanned over many years where he volunteered his time and talents to help build the community in many ways. At the age of 90 he was still working on projects. As a long time employee for John F. Casey Co., he helped to build our city and surrounding areas. He enjoyed talking about different types of construction. He was an avid vegetable gardener, loved to listen and dance to polka music, and an enthusiast of sports, especially football, baseball, and basketball. He was a passionate and hard-working man who will be missed by all that knew him. He is survived by his five children, Patricia M. Massimino and her husband, Regis of Blairsville, PA, John W. Malek, Jr. and his wife, Norma of Blairsville PA, Lawrence J. Malek and his wife, Terry of Latrobe, PA, Anne M. Agostinone and her husband, Jim of Latrobe PA, and Michael A. Malek and his wife, Paula of Chapel Hill, NC; 14 grandchildren, Kristan and Julie, Andrea, Amy, and Aric, Travis and Tyler, Dana, Rena, and Lexie, and Shane, Chelsea, Haley, and Hogan; nine great grandchildren are Nick and Megan, Tyler, Benjamin, and Harrison, Austin, Logan, and Nora, and Brodie along with many nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Lucy Malek and his loving and dear friend of 20 years, Margaret Shubuck. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Anne J. (Simanovich) Malek on January 18, 1995; two sisters, Susan Jakubowski and Mary and a brother Frank Malek. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA where a wake service will be held at 7:30 P.M. Wednesday. Prayers of Transfer will be said at 9:15 A.M. Thursday at the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M. in SS Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, PA with Fr. Stephen R. Bugay as celebrant. Interment will be in SS Simon & Jude Cemetery, Blairsville, PA. Military services will be accorded by the Blairsville VFW Post #5821 and the American Legion Post #0407. Memorial contributions may be made to Excela Health Home Care and Hospice, 134 Industrial Park Road, Suite 1600, Greensburg, PA 15601 or to Brenizer Community Association, c/o Mary Jakubowski, 68 Poplar St., Blairsville, PA 15717.
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