Robert A. Zelina, 81, Enjoyed Golf, Bowling, Darts, Softball and Baseball
Robert A. Zelina, 81, of Lorain, died Wednesday January 25, 2017 at his home while surrounded by his family and under the care of Mercy New Life Hospice.
He was born March 29, 1935 in Lorain and had been a lifelong Lorain resident.
Bob graduated from Lorain High School in 1952. He served with the US Marine Corps Reserve for 8 years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. Bob attended Lorain Business College and Lorain County Community College.
Bob worked at Thew Shovel in Lorain as a maintenance carpenter for 17 years. While working at Thew, he began his involvement with organized labor serving as a Grievance Man, Treasurer, Vice President and President of United Steelworkers Local #1242. At age 26, he was the youngest USWA President in the United States at the time. In 1969, Bob worked as Labor Representative for United Community Services (United Way) of Greater Lorain County. In 1974, he became Executive Director of the Lorain County Labor Agency and held that position until retiring in 1998. He later became Executive Director of OHIOCOMP in Cleveland until he fully retired in 2002.
Bob was an honorary board member of the Lorain County Organized/Labor Management Committee of Lorain County Community College, a board member of the Lorain County Homeless Task Force and a charter member and trustee of the SMLA Board of Trustees. He also served two consecutive three-year terms on the board of the Statewide Health Care Coordinating Council a position that is appointed by the Governor of Ohio. He served as Vice-President of the Lorain County Health Care Planning Committee for six years, was a member of the Lorain County Organized Labor/Management Advisory Committee, was Vice-President of the Statewide BWC Managed Care Organization, a member of the Lorain County CETA Advisory Committee, coordinator for Lorain County Labor Committee for 28 consecutive years and a delegate to Lorain County AFL-CIO Federation of Labor for 31 consecutive years. He was a member of the Sheffield Lions Club and St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Lorain where he served as an altar boy while a student to St. Anthony School.
As a youth, Bob enjoyed playing baseball and continued playing into his adult years. He played for Bonk’s Café that won the state championship in 1952 and was inducted into the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. He enjoyed golf, bowling, darts, softball and baseball. For many years, he coached his grandchildren in Lorain Youth Baseball.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Joanne Zelina (nee Menges); daughter Deborah J. Wolford; son Gregory R. Zelina; 9 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; sister Dolores Miller of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania and brother Donald Zelina of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his father Andrew Zelina, mother Ann Zelina (nee Paul) and brother Gerald Zelina.
The family will receive friends Sunday January 29th from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday January 30th at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 1305 E Erie Ave, Lorain. (please meet at the church). The Rev. Edward Smith, pastor, will officiate. Cremation will follow.
Memorial contributions can be made to Mercy New Life Hospice, 3500 Kolbe Rd, Lorain, OH. 44053.
Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.