Martin A. Tomasic, 84, World War II Veteran, active in United Steelworkers Local #1104
Martin A. Tomasic, age 84, of Lorain, died Saturday, May 3, 2003 at Anchor Lodge Nursing Home following an extended illness. He was born October 18, 1918 and had been a resident of Lorain for most of his life. He was a graduate of Lorain High School with the class of 1936-B.He joined the national Tube Corporation in 1938; he first served as a cable splicer, then graduated to the post of millwright. He retired from U.S. Steel's Lorain Works (Successor Company to National Tube) in 1982 as an expediter in the # 4 Seamless Rolling Mill.
He was inducted into the Civilian Conservation Corps at Fort Knox, Kentucky on April 5, 1933. He served at Camp McKinley, where he was the assistant editor to the McKinley Express. He was a World War II U.S. Army Veteran serving with the military police; he was a member of Amvets Post # 47 of Lorain.
Mr. Tomasic was extremely active in union and labor affairs for the United Steelworks Local # 1104 and was the longtime financial secretary of that body. He was also the editor of the Lorain Labor Leader, the union's newspaper. He was a founding member of the U.S. Steel Credit Union (now Lormet Community Credit Union) where he served as vice president and was also a former member of its board of directors. He was also a founding member of the U.S. Steel Union Eye Care Center.
He was a member of SOAR (Steelworkers Organization of Retirees), the International Labor Press Association, the Ohio Labor Press Association, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the Lorain Community Seniors, the Catholic Golden Age Organization, A.A.R.P., and the North American Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni. He was also a member of the American National Red Cross where he was certified as an instructor in swimming, life safety, and water safety, and was an ardent supporter of and contributor to the Lorain County Blood Bank.
He was a parishioner of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, as well as a life member of the American Slovak Club.
On May 20th, 1991 he was inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels by then Governor Wallace G. Wilkerson.
Survivors include his daughter Marilyn Tomasic of Long Beach, California, sons Martin J. Tomasic of Cincinnati, and Michel B. Tomasic, two grandchildren, brothers Joseph of Mesa, Arizona, Michael of Leesburg, Virginian, James and Paul both of Lorain, and sisters Ann Stransky and Mary Skolnicki both of Lorain.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ann (nee Zehel) in 1998, by his parents Biaz and Katie (nee Mihalic) Tomasic, and by brothers: Steve, William, and Biaz.
Visitation will be Friday, May 9, 2003 from 4-8 PM in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Funeral services will be Saturday beginning at 9:00 AM in the funeral chapel and will be followed by his funeral mass at 9:30AM in St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, located on the corner of Eight Street and Reid Avenue. The Reverend Daniel O. Divis, pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain where officers and members of Amvets Post # 47 will conduct military honors.
The family suggests memorials in his memory to the American Heart and Lung Association, Ohio Valley Affiliate, P.O. Box 182039, Department 013, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2039.