Michael J. Lajcsak, 89, of Coudersport
2 min readMichael J. Lajcsak, 89, of Coudersport, PA died Monday, January 31, 2011 at his home following a lengthy illness.
Born on September 29, 1921 in Springdale, PA he was the son of John and Anna Prislupsky Lajcsak. On January 11, 1950 in Sheffield, PA he married Margaret A. Dubots, who died on June 15, 1993.
Mr. Lajcsak was a lifetime resident of Coudersport. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the U. S. Army in the African and European Campaigns. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and taken as a prisoner of war.
Mr. Lajcsak was the recipient of a Purple Heart, two bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, and numerous other service related commendations. He was honorably discharged on November 15, 1945.
He worked in many capacities as a factory worker, farmer, and served with the Merchant Marines. Mr. Lajcsak retired from the Pennsylvania State Park System where he had been employed as a park ranger for many years. In his later years he worked for Jack Frederick at Frederick Appliance.
He was a member of St. Eulalia Catholic Church and American Legion Potter Post 192. He loved to travel, enjoying a trip to Poland and taking his motor home to Alaska. He was an avid reader and liked to follow the news. He especially enjoyed Polka music.
Surviving are four daughters, Mary (Frank) Grom of Genesee, PA, Carol (Charles) Cole and Lucia Lajcsak, both of Coudersport, PA, Patricia Lajcsak of Wasilla, Alaska, one son, Joseph Augustyn of Olean, NY, eight grandchildren, David Grom, Franklin Grom, Aris Grom, Christa (Jamie) Walker, Anthony Augustyn, Nicole (Michael) Hochadel, Katie Keck, and Michael Lajcsak, six great-grandchildren, Seth and Zachary Grom, Ashley Grom, Elizabeth and Jay Walker and Kristopher Brown, two nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter-in-law, Linda Augustyn, and a sister, Elizabeth Pollack.
Friends may call from 2-4pm and 6-8pm Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Fickinger Funeral Home, Coudersport.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am Saturday at St. Eulalia Catholic Church with the Reverend Joseph Campbell, pastor, as celebrant. Military rites will be accorded at the church by members of the Potter County Honor Guard. Burial will be in St. Eulalia Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Eulalia Catholic Church, 6 E. Maple St., Coudersport, PA 16915, or to Sacred Heart Church, 263 Main St., Genesee, PA 16923, American Legion Potter Post 192, 2 Buffalo St., Coudersport, PA 16915, or to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, 1001 E. Second St., Coudersport, PA 16915.
I was saddened to learn of Mike’s Passing. I will remember Mike as a very loyal and dependable Park Ranger at Denton Hill. I always counted on Mike to do the difficult tasks with a smile. I often remember his comment to our central office in Harrisburg comparing his park uniform pants to a cheap hotel, No Ball Room.
Yes, I too have many fond memories of working with Mike at Denton Hill. I’ll never forget crazy hat day, with Mike gamely wearing the tin-foil hat I made for him…LOL. That was likely one of his “difficult tasks”. He’ll live on in our memories.