Anthony J. Machak – Obituary
ERIE – Anthony J. Machak, age 95, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 22, 2015. He was born on July 9, 1920, in Bitumen, PA, a son of the late Roman and Magdaline Pitonyak Machak. He was preceded in death by his former wives: Cecelia (Renaud) Machak and Evaryst (Konwinski) Machak, along with his siblings: Mary Mann, John Machak, Julie Smereck, and Agnes Machak.
Anthony worked for over 40 years as a passenger conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad and as a freight conductor for Penn-Central and Conrail. He also served his country in World War II, from 1943 to 1946, as a member of the US Army Air Force. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Prior to joining the service, Anthony attended the Brooklyn Dodgers training camp in 1936 with the goal of becoming a major league baseball pitcher. His passion was his career on the railroad, spending time with his family, watching baseball games, and going for car rides. He enjoyed his weekly visits to the Siebenburger Club with his family and friends, along with visiting his childhood home on the mountain in Bitumen, Pennsylvania. He was always ready and willing to help someone in need.
Anthony is survived by his children, Raymond Machak and Kathleen Wilcox, and grandchildren Mark, Danielle, and Philip, along with a great granddaughter. There are also several nieces and nephews, in addition to his close friends Sally and Dwight.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the many family members and friends who helped Anthony maintain a meaningful and independent life.
Friends were received at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., Erie, on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and were invited to a prayer service there on Thursday morning at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery in Hyner, PA on Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m..
Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.
