Richard F. Zawada, 80, World War II Navy Veteran
Richard F. Zawada, age 80, of Lorain, died Thursday November 10, 2005 at the Specialty Hospital of Lorain following an extended illness.
He was born in West Rutland, Vermont on May 25, 1925 and had been a resident of Lorain since the age of twelve.
Mr. Zawada was a graduate of Lorain High School as a member of the Class of 1943-B; he went on to serve in the United States Navy during World War II as a radioman. He fulfilled duty assignments aboard the U.S.S. Dixie and the U.S.S. Titulla in the Pacific Theater. He was the recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the American Area Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Richard was employed as a machinist for the Terex Equipment Company. He had previously served as a machinist for the Thew Division of the Koehring Company, and was formerly a self-employed television repairman.
He was a parishioner of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Lorain as well as a member of the United Polish Clubs of Lorain and Elyria. He was a social member of Italian-American Veterans Post # 1 of Lorain, and a life member of V.F.W. Post # 1079 of Elyria. He enjoyed participating in league bowling and golf competition throughout Lorain County.
Survivors include his wife of seven years Virginia Tomko-Zawada (nee Mailowski), step-sons Robert M. Tomko of Upland, California, Jeffrey A. Tomko of Dublin, Ohio, James A. Tomko of Solon, Ohio, step-daughter Katherine A. Furnas of Avon along with eleven grandchildren. He is also survived by cousins Bernice Bach, Jeannette Bereznak, Eleanor Saltis, Milton Sadowski, and Eugene Sadowski.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Florence (nee Szlempa) in 1994, and by brothers Stanley Zawada and Brunislaw (Bernie) Zawada, and a sister Mary Ann DeAngelis.
Visitation will be Sunday November 13, 2005 from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue – Lorain. Funeral services will be Monday beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by the celebration of his funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church – 1454 Lexington Avenue in Lorain. The Reverend Robert Glepko, pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery - Lorain where military honors will be performed by officers and members of V.F.W. Post # 1079.
Please make donations to:
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church – 418 West 15th Street – Lorain, Ohio 44052.