MITCH VOZNIAK PASSES AWAY

 

Mitch Vozniak, Class of 1953, passed away.

His wife, Barbara Prezioso Vozniak, also Class of 1953, predeceased him.

Their son, 1962 North Marion grad Joe Pat Vozniak, passed away in 2016 in Florida.

Another son, David Vozniak, survives.

The late Chester Vozniak is Mitch's brother. Chester married Mildred Paknik Vozniak, Class of 1948. Another brother, Walter Vozniak, also predeceased Mitch.

 

John Vozniak also is Mitch’s brother. John’s daughter and Mitch’s niece is Sherry Vozniak, a Fairmont State graduate living in Monongah.

 

Mitch Vozniak was on the 1952 Monongah High state football championship team coached by Jim Feltz, the first of 5 Monongah High state football title teams, and an auto racing mechanic.

 

I went to school and caddied at Fairmont Field Club with Mitch. I met Mitch and Barbara again within the past decade at Murv and Emily McDowell’s Mountaineer Tailgater party in the Light Blue Lot outside Mountaineer Field before a WVU football game.

Barbara’s aunt, the late Amelia Ann Yerace Prezioso (The Canned Peppers Lady), ran Prezioso Grocery at the top of Jackson Street with her husband, Roman Prezioso, Sr.

Amelia and Roman, Sr. are the parents of State Sen. Roman Prezioso, Jr., Class of 1967, who lives in Fairmont with wife Deborah.

Barbara’s sister, Lavinia Rose Prezioso Edmond, Class of 1960, is the mother of Dr. Michael Edmond, head of WVU Medicine and a pioneer in c.diff treatment using fecal matter.

 

Barbara is in the same generation of many Monongah Preziosos with Lavinia,  Josephine Prezioso Westfall, Bea Prezioso Mangino, Brulina Prezioso Sweeney, Marie Prezioso, Eugene Prezioso, Nick Domico, Dr. Ronald Pearse and West Virginia state senator Roman Prezioso.

 

Denise Vozniak Holcomb, Mitch’s niece and a North Marion and Fairmont State graduate who is a nurse at WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown and lives in White Hall, sums up Mitch best:

 

“Heaven has another angel! He was loved by so many and will be missed by even more! Rest in Peace Uncle Mitch!”

I second that emotion, Denise, knowing Mitch as I did over the years. Farewell, childhood friend!

Mitch’s obituary:

Mitchel Vozniak, 86, of Monongah, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021. He was born September 5, 1934 in Monongah, a son of the late John Vozniak, Sr. and Nellie Vesick Vozniak.

Mitchel was previously employed by FMC Corporation and retired from Consolidation Coal Central Shop. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed auto racing.

Mitchel is survived by his son, David Vozniak and his wife Ann; his grandchildren, Michael Vozniak, Joseph Vozniak, and Kristen Vozniak; great granddaughter, Emily; a brother John Vozniak; a sister-in-law, Olga Vozniak; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mitchel was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Vozniak who passed away one month ago on February 11, 2021; his son and daughter-in-law, Joe Pat and Robin Vozniak; his brothers, Walter Vozniak and Chester Vozniak; and a sisters-in-law, Cathy Vozniak and Mildred Vozniak.

The family would like to give special thanks to Amedisys Hospice and to his very special caregivers, Dottie, Monique, and Christine.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, private, family services will be held. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com .