Adolph Semich

SEMICH – Adolph “Slim”, 94, passed away peacefully at home on January 14. Born January 21, 1920 in Parkhill, PA, son of Anton and Ivana “Jennie” (Mohorcic) Semich. Preceded in death by parents; loving wife of 64 years, Mary (Zakrejsek) Semich; brother, Edward Semich; sisters, Veda Shaffer, Jen Sefko, and Dorothy Dremely; in-laws, Tony Shaffer, Victor Dremely, Slim Sefko, Al Meglich, Steve and Frances (Zakrajsek) Greecher, Tony Zakrajsek, and Mildred Zakrajsek. Survived by loving children, Virginia, wife of James Hockensmith, Mineral Point and Mary Jane, wife of Frank Battaglia, Latrobe; grandchildren, Katie (Matthew) Stormer, Indiana, PA, Emily Hockensmith, Bridgeville, PA, Laura Hockensmith, Eindhoven, Netherlands, Benjamin Battaglia, Indiana, PA, Alex Battaglia, Seattle, WA, and Zachary Battaglia, Latrobe, PA; great-granddaughter, Natalie Stormer. Also survived by his sister, Martha Meglich, Cleveland, OH; brother-in-law, Henry (Beverly) Zakrajsek, Newport, RI; sister-in-law, Alverda Semich, Johnstown and numerous nieces and nephews. Adolph graduated from Franklin High School in 1937. During the Great Depression he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. He was so proud of being one of the “CCC boys” who built Laurel Hill State Park and any chance he got, would “educate” people on the Corps’ contribution to our state park systems. Adolph joined the U.S. Navy in World War II, serving as an airplane mechanic on Saipan in the Pacific. After the war he returned to Bethlehem Steel Corporation, where he worked in the axle plant for 41 years. A long-time member of the Church of the Transfiguration Catholic Church (formerly Sacred Heart Catholic Church), East Conemaugh, where he and Mary helped to take care of the church cemetery for many years. Adolph volunteered at “his” Laurel Hill State Park during his retirement, where he helped the younger generation build bluebird boxes. He also delivered Meals on Wheels for the Senior Center in Johnstown. Adolph loved his family and the home he built in Parkhill. He enjoyed taking care of his vegetable garden, sitting on the back porch watching hummingbirds with his wife, and dancing the polka. He was always ready to lend a hand to his family and friends and was known to be able to fix almost anything. An avid roller skater all his life, he spent many years supervising the skaters at Cicero’s Roller Skating Rink in Ebensburg. He was the “tall man in the middle of the rink” at Cicero’s. Adolph also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and solving the Rubik’s Cube. A lifelong member of the SNPJ, Adolph was proud of his Slovenian heritage and had fond memories of the trip he and Mary took to Slovenia in 1987. Friends will be received from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Baker-Harris Funeral Chapel, East Conemaugh, where Vigil for the deceased will be held. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Church of the Transfiguration Catholic Church, Conemaugh, Fr. Robert C. Hall, Pastor. Committal will be at Grandview Mausoleum with Military Rites conducted by Menoher Post #155 V.F.W. Ritual Team. The family suggests contributions be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, in honor of all the veterans who have served their country, in memory of Adolph. On line condolences may be posted to www.wharrisfuneralhome.com.