Obituary of John M. Byich

BYICH – John Michael “Shorty”, 84,  of Ebensburg, passed away November 17, 2020 at home.  Born February 2, 1936 in Nanty Glo, son of the late Joseph and Anna (Simasek) Byich.  Preceded in death by wife Judy Ann (Gomish) Byich, brother Steven Yonas and sisters: Margaret Yonas and Mary McDonald.  Dedicated and loving father of six children:  John Joseph (Linda) Byich; Jeffrey Patrick (Holly) Byich; Laurie Ann (Scott) Fisher; Daniel Bruce Byich; Ann Marie (Joseph) Becquet; and Robin Marie (Stanley) Golden.  Adored by 12 grandchildren:  Gavin, Bryan, & Carisa Byich; Ethan Lea & Amber Fisher; Darren Petrunak; Gustin & Lucas Becquet; Owen, Gwendolyn & Delwen Rose Golden. Also brothers George (Mary) Byich and Joseph (“Moe”) Byich, and sister Catherine Byich.   John served in the US Army as a Radar Plotter from 1955-1959.  He was a dedicated foreman at Bethlehem Mine #33, Ebensburg and Mine #31 for 30 years.  Following retirement, he maintained miscellaneous jobs through Dolan’s Welding & Steel Fabrication, Mundy’s Corner and Quemahoning Mine near Somerset. Our dad “Shorty”, as some may have known him, leaves many stories behind him.  He was just a funny character at heart.  He always had something he was saying or doing that made people shake their heads and laugh.  Dad loved to shop thrift shops, finding trinkets to take home to tinker with for hours.  He found joy in passing on these unique finds to his kids and especially his grandkids.  We received fishing rods, hunting knives, belts, wallets, old tools and not one of us is without a peculiar winter hat from dad/pap.  He loved being in the woods, fishing, building the “perfect” tree stand, and taking his boys archery and rifle hunting.  They tagged many big bucks together over the years.  It was just last week, dad was shooting his cross bow in the back yard.  He enjoyed mushroom picking and cleaning, maple syrup tree tapping, tilling and planting his garden, dancing at weddings, swimming in the pool or just floating on an old inner tube in the muddy creek near our home.  When we think of dad, we will remember his old miners lunch bucket, his favorite orange cup for his instant coffee, his golden wrist watch and rides home on his shoulders after long walks in the woods.  If you ever asked him how he was doing, he would reply:  “Terrible! – Terrible Good!!”  Finally, what our dad loved more than anything in his world, was our mom, her passing in 2015 ended 51 years of a blessed union.  God bless you both, you are so missed.  Friends will gather from  10:30 a.m. Friday, November 27^th, at Holy Name Church Narthex, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., the Rev. Brian Warchola, celebrant.  Interment at Holy Name Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Holy Name Catholic School, Ebensburg or St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy, State College, Pa.   Arrangements are in the care of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg.