Michael Lawrence Bryja

He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Velma (Orris); brothers: John, Joseph (Hedwig Bednarchik), Frank (Florence Janosik), Stanley, Louis (Margie Kreutzberger), Thaddeus (Mary Michina), Chester and Walter; sisters, Mary (Edward Squillario) and an infant sister; brothers-in-law: Michael and Joseph (Rhoda Canyock) Mikonsky and John Kovach; sisters-in-law: Elizabeth (Michael Billcheck), Margaret (John Kolaso), Joan Mikonsky, Rosalie (Benito Santos) and Dorothy (Kenneth McIntosh).

Surviving are his son, Michael; daughter, Suzanne (Larry Brugh); and grandsons: Nicholas Brugh, Jacob and Michael III Bryja. Michael is also survived by a sister, Bernice Bryja; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Nibert Bryja and Irene Orris Oravecz (late Thomas Oravecz); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mike was a graduate of Portage Joint High School (1953) and Saint Francis University (1959). He also did post-graduate work at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

He began his teaching career at Greenfield-Kimmel High School (Claysburg) in 1960. He also taught at Triangle Area from 1962-66. He finished his teaching career in the Forest Hills School District from 1966 until his retirement in 1996.

Mike was also a member of PSEA and NEA. He coached boys’ junior high basketball at Triangle and later coached girls’ junior high basketball at Forest Hills. While at Forest Hills, he also coached the Rangers’ baseball team for 34 years and served as high school athletic director for 11 years.

Mike was an avid sports enthusiast and enjoyed all sports, especially baseball. He played professional baseball for the “Erie Senators” in 1954 in the PONY League. He also played baseball for Saint Francis College. In addition, Mike played for Benscreek, Lilly and Puritan in the Cambria County Industrial League from 1951-59. He finished his playing career in the Johnstown City League in 1960 for Nemesh Motors.

Mike was a longtime PIAA official in baseball for 57 years, basketball for 52 years and both softball and volleyball for 35 years. The highlight of his umpiring career was when he was privileged to work the championship game of the World Friendship Tournament in 1983 between the United States and China. He also umpired in the National AAABA Tournament for 34 years. He was a member of the Cambria County Industrial League Oldtimers Baseball Association and Northern Cambria Baseball, Basketball and Softball chapters.

Mike served in the Army National Guard with the 2nd Medium Tank Battalion 103rd Armor 28th Infantry Division based in Johnstown from 1959-64.

He enjoyed watching and supporting his children and grandchildren in their athletic activities.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the Windber Hospice social worker, aides, nurses and Inpatient Unit staff for the exceptional care and compassion they provided to Mike over the past six months.

Friends will be received from 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at Serenko-Claar Funeral Home PC, Portage.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Holy Family Parish, Caldwell Ave., with Father Thomas Stabile, TOR, celebrant.

Committal will be held at St. John’s Cemetery, Portage. Military funeral rites will be by the Portage Ritual Team.

The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to Windber Hospice in honor of Mike’s memory.

Online condolences may be made at serenkoclaarfuneralhome.com.