Michael A. Matijasic, 96, Amateur Radio Operator
Michael A. Matijasic, 96, of Lorain, died Thursday Sept. 10, 2009 at Specialty Hospital of Lorain in Amherst Hospital after a lengthy illness.
He was born Nov. 19, 1912 in Steelton, Pennsylvania and had resided in Lorain most of his life.
Mike worked as a tool & die maker at the Perry Fay Company for 22 years and at Brush Development Company for 2 years, both in Cleveland. After that he owned and operated John’s Café on 28th Street in Lorain for over 12 years.
Mike was an amateur radio operator for over 75 years with the call letters W8LZB. He was the oldest member of the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society (NOARS) whom in 1984 awarded Mike with the Gold Key & Mike Award and in 1992 awarded the Presidents Club Award.
Mike also was a member of the Quarter Century Wireless Association that awarded him the Golden Anniversary Award and he won awards from the FCC Wireless Association as a distinguished member.
He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church and the church Holy Name Society, the Moose Lodge and American Slovak Club, all of Lorain.
Mike collected antiques and was known as a perfectionist who enjoyed woodworking and making his own parts to fix and restore old furniture. He even made a coach and entered it in a Fisher Body logo contest.
He is survived by his children Richard J. Pekare (Betty nee Obenour) of Lorain and James M. Pekare (Patricia nee Charlek) of Mansfield, grandchildren Elizabeth K. Wells (nee Pekare) (Steven) of South Amherst, Steven Johnson (Jen nee Campbell) of Mansfield and Matthew Johnson (Rachel nee Grover) of Mansfield, 11 great grandchildren, sisters Angeline Grayson (nee Tomazin) of Lorain and Ann Tomsic (nee Tomazin) of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth “Betty” Matijasic (nee Miecznikowski) in 1987, parents Miko Matijasic and Agnes Matijasic-Tomazin (nee Petrasic), sisters Agnes Drstvensic (nee Tomazin) and Mary Safran (nee Tomazin) and brothers Frank Tomazin, John Tomazin, Andrew Tomazin and Rudy Tomazin.
The family will receive friends Wednesday 4 - 8 p.m. at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain where the St. Stanislaus Holy Name Society will recite the rosary Wednesday at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel with the Rev. David A. Novak, parish administrator of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church of Lorain, officiating. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.
Online condolences may be made at www.gluvna.net.