John Kuzmovich, 93, of Ernest, died Monday, January 19, 2015. Born in Ernest on July 31, 1921 he was a son of the late Nicholas Kuzmovich, Sr. and Barbara (Hladky) Kuzmovich.

As a teenager, John was the catcher for the Ernest Gangbuster's Jr team when the team became the 1937 VFW Champs as well as the Runnersup in The Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company Flag Series. He loved to talk about these times and remembered the names of every player on his team. John was the last surviving member of the team.

He enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Gunner's Mate second class during World War II. During his service, 1941 - 1946 , he traveled all over the world crossing the equator multiple times. He crossed the International Date line and became a member of the Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon. John talked a lot about his adventures in the Navy especially being a part of OPERATION CROSSROADS, ordered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to test the effect of the Atomic Bomb on naval vessels and conducted at Bikini Atoil, Marshall Islands.

After the war John was employed for most of his working career at the Fisher Body Division of General Motors Corporation at the Lordstown Plant in Warren, Ohio. He retired in 1985 and moved back to Ernest to live out his retirement years.

John was raised by his parents in the Byzantine Catholic faith but in later years became a member of the Church of the Resurrection, Ernest, PA.

John is survived by his lifelong companion, Jeanne Pecori ; his youngest sister, Florence Anderson; and sister-in-law Mary O. Kuzmovich. Other survivors include his nieces and nephews: Ginny Winters & husband Bill; Mary Jane Roberts; Shirley Kuzmovich; Jan Ferguson & husband Andy ; Barbara Rellick; Mary Jo Dax & husband Jeff; Don Falcone & wife Patty; Ron Falcone & wife Janice; Bob Anderson; nine great nieces & nephews and seven great-great nieces & nephews including Daniel Nicholas Kuzmovich who John hoped would carry on the Kuzmovich name for him. In addition, he is survived by Jeanne's nieces & nephews, Ann Marie Riscinto & husband Nick, Erin Parisse & husband Sam;Tim Dunegan & wife Donna; Dick Staffen; Bill Staffen & wife Diane; & Dr. Robert Staffen & wife Dorthy, and great niece Kristen, husband Jeff, and their children Ellise & Nathan.

In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by his siblings: Nicholas “Nick” Kuzmovich, Jr.; Mary Grace Kuzmovich; Anna Rellick,Veronica Backus, Elizabeth Falcone, and Virginia Kuzmovich; two nephews; Ronn Kuzmovich and Jimmy Falcone, and niece, Nancy Falcone.

John will be remembered as a good friend to many, a wonderful uncle, and a man who always had a great story to tell. He loved to laugh and did his best to brighten up everyone's day.

Visitation will be from 2-4 & 6-8 PM Wednesday, January 21st at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Thursday morning at The Church of the Resurrection, Ernest. Entombment with military honors will be made in the St. Bernard Cemetery Mausoleum, Indiana.

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