Obituary of Benjamin T. Cazara

CAZARA - Benjamin T., 82, Colver, passed away April 24, 2007, at Altoona Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born July 4, 1924, in Greenwich, son of Anthony and Alma (Pederzolli) Cazara. Preceded in death by parents; stepfather, Pete Pieranunzi; stepbrother, Alex Pieranunzi; and half sister, Mary Zawiskie. Survived by wife, the former Peggy Jane Vay; these children: Connie, wife of Robert Datsko; Darlene, wife of Lenny Mastrine; Lisa, wife of Dave Wesley; and Lora, wife of Brian Bracken, all of Ebensburg; and nine grandchildren, Ellen and Paul Datsko; Sara, Amy and Julie Mastrine; Ben and Emily Wesley; and Jill and Leah Bracken. Brother of Irma Tirabassi, Ebensburg. Also beloved dog, "Maggie." Retired from Bethlehem Mines 32 and 33 after 42 years of service. Also employed in the Colver Mines and at Ford Motor Co. in Cleveland. Army veteran of World War II. Fought in the D-Day Invasion, Battle of the Bulge and Hurtgen Forest. Member of VFW Post 4963 and Knights of Columbus Council 522, both of Ebensburg. Life member of Colver Fire Company and UMWA Local 860, Colver, and Local 1368, Ebensburg. Benny was a Democratic Committeeman. He was a member of the Cambria County Industrial Baseball League and managed Little League and softball teams in Colver. He was an avid sports fan, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a Steelers season ticket holder since 1973, having seen all the great Steelers games. He enjoyed attending Central Cambria sports events and watching his grandchildren play soccer. Friends will be received from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Matevish & Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg, where vigil wake service will be held on Thursday evening. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 27, at Holy Name Catholic Church, Msgr. Arnold Gaus officiating. Entombment, Holy Name Mausoleum, Ebensburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cambria Township Volunteer Fire Company or the Cambria County Humane Society. K of C serivce at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.