Stephen Douglas Lockawich, 91, formerly of rural Williamsburg, passed away Thursday morning at Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg.
He was born in Ganister, rural Williamsburg, son of the late Stephen and Anna Mary (Gratchin) Lockawich. He married Dorothy E. Forshey on Nov. 22, 1947, in Williamsburg. She passed away on Jan. 7, 2011.
Surviving are six daughters: Rose A. Peck (husband, William) of Jacksonville, N.C., Theresa R. Oswald of New Holland, Patricia K. Chamberlain (husband, Alan) and Lisa A. Dishong (husband, Todd), all of Williamsburg, Judy M. Black (husband, David) of Huntington, W.Va., and Susan M. Hatfield (husband, Timothy) of Holland, Ohio; a son, Steven J. (wife, Debra) of Concord, N.H.; nine grandchildren: Bill, Stephanie, Erica, Bradley, Amy, Marci, Kyle, Jedidiah and Silas; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Angela Bretzlaff in 2008; six sisters: Anna Zelesnak, Mary Soccio, Ethel Senkow, Mildred Legge, Frances Camaroto and Helen Canfield; and two brothers: John and Douglas.
Mr. Lockawich was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving from 1942 to 1945 in the South Pacific theater aboard the USS Saufley (destroyer) and the USS Makassar Strait (escort aircraft carrier), attaining the rank of coxswain. He often spoke proudly of his service to our great nation.
He retired as a warehouseman from The Fonda Group, Williamsburg, in 1983, and then was employed as a security guard at Westvaco, Williamsburg plant, for many years. Previously, he owned and managed a farm in Woodbury Township, rural Williamsburg, while also serving as steward for Bonner-Sollenberger American Legion Post 456, Williamsburg.
Mr. Lockawich was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Williamsburg. He was a lifetime member of Bonner-Sollenberger American Legion Post and also a member of Williamsburg VFW Memorial Post 8068.
Mr. Lockawich was a man of strength, who was one with the Earth. He was well known for his exemplary gardening, wine-making and carpentry skills. He greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading. He was a wise, loving and faith-filled gentleman who took life just as it came. He devoted his life to providing for his wife and family and was always there for them to generously lend a hand.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at John C. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Williamsburg, where a vigil for the deceased will be held at 7:45 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, with Father Aron Maghsoudi officiating. Committal with full military honors accorded by the Blair County Veterans Honor Guard will follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, rural Williamsburg.
The family prefers memorial contributions be given to Garvey Manor, 1037 S. Logan Blvd., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648; or St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 628 W. First St., Williamsburg, PA 16693, to be designated toward the "Rome Trip."
