Andrew J. Pogachar, 85, Enjoyed woodworking and gardening

He was born August 12, 1918 in Lorain and had been a lifelong resident of the city.

Mr. Pogachar attended elementary education in Lorain and went on to graduate from Saint Mary High School with the class of 1936. He later attended a variety of classes offered through the Lorain Institute of Art and Sciences.

Andrew was employed as a quality control inspector for U.S. Steel Corporation’s Lorain-Cuyahoga Works for more than forty-six years, and was the recipient of two awards for continuous service. A member of United Steel Workers’ Local #1104, he retired in 1983.

A parishioner of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church of Lorain, he served as a member of the parish council as well as the financial council; he was also extremely active in Slovenian fraternal activities including membership in K.S.K.J. Lodge #101 and its successor Lodge #85 where he was currently serving as financial secretary. He had been a member of that organization for more than 70 years. He was a member and past officer of the Ss. Cyril & Methodius Holy Name Society and received recognition as Parish Person of the Year in 1992 and again in 2003 by the Lorain Volunteer Fire Department which formerly operated out of Station #3 in south Lorain; his career with the department spanned a period of 25 years.

Andrew enjoyed woodworking and gardening as well as known for his ability to grow roses. Additional interests included reading, volunteer work, and church activities.

Survivors include his son: Kenneth and daughter-in-law Barbara of Lorain; daughter and son-in-law: James Simashkevich of Amherst; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and a sister: Mary Gradisek of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Sophie F. (nee Tomazic) Pogachar in 1996; by sons: Thomas in 1970 and Ronald in 1992; and by his parents: Andrew and Mary (nee Tich) Pogachar.

Visitation will be Friday from 3-8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel; 3224 Broadway Ave., in Lorain where a parish rosary service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and followed by the celebration of funeral mass at 10 a.m. in Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church; 1709 East 31st Street, Lorain. The Reverend Paul Krajnik, pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

The family requests donations in Mr. Pogachar’s memory to the Catholic Church of St. Peter; 3501 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH 44053 or to Ss. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church; 1709 East 31st Street, Lorain, OH 44055.