Donald G. Samarziya
Donald G. Samarziya, 62, of Bessemer, Mich., died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, surrounded by his loving family, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, following a courageous, nine year battle with lymphoma.
Donald G. Samarziya, 62, of Bessemer, Mich., died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, surrounded by his loving family, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, following a courageous, nine year battle with lymphoma.
He was born July 9, 1950, in Wakefield, Mich., son of the late John and Evelyn (Massi) Samarziya, attended Barber School in Yale Location and St. Sebastian Catholic Grade School in Bessemer, and graduated from A. D. Johnston High School in 1968. He then attended Gogebic Community College for two years.
Don worked in Green Bay, Wis. for a short time, and was employed by the City of Bessemer at Hillcrest Cemetery for six summers. He then worked at Quality Rubber as a machine mold operator in Wakefield for 10 years, and at Bessemer Plywood, retiring due to ill health in July 1993.
Don was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer. He loved watching football and baseball, and coach ed T-ball and Little League baseball in Bessemer for many years. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, and loved taking long walks with his wife, Sharon, and their Irish setter, Ellie Mae. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Jason and Jaclyn.
He was married to the former Sharon A. Passint of Bessemer on April 5, 1973, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, by the late Rev. Chester Franczek. Sharon survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Jesse (Jaime), Superior and Cole (Carrie), Mason, Wis.; two grandchildren, Jason and Jaclyn Samarziya, Superior; a brother, Jerry (Ann), Westland, Mich.; sister, Nancy Hauswirth, Green Bay, Wis.; his mother-in-law, Lois Passint, Bessemer, Mich.; aunt, Fran Malmberg, and uncle, Peter Samarziya, both of Bessemer, Mich.; sisters-in-law, Diane (Brian) Ramme, Beebe, Ark., Rita Gierl, Grayling, Mich., and Lisa (Scott) Johnson, Bessemer, Mich.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jenna Samarziya, in 2004; and his father-in-law, Raymond Passint, in 1999.
Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer, with the Rev. Ben Hasse, celebrant.
Luncheon will follow in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice Services, Inc., 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI 49911, or HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood, MI 49938.
Condolences can be given to Don's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, Mich.
Do not stand at
my grave and weep,
I am not there,
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand
winds that blow;
I am the diamond
glints on snow.
I am the sunlight
on ripened grain;
I am the gentle
autumn’s rain.
When you awaken
in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift
uplifting rush
Of quiet birds
in circled flight.
I am the soft star
that shines at night.
Do not stand at
my grave and cry.
I am not there;
I did not die.
Author Unknown
Tags: obituaries
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