Vincent J. Pogacnik, 77, Machinist

Born February 21, 1926 in Lorain; he had been a life long resident of the city.

Mr. Pogacnik was a 1943 graduate of Lorain Saint Mary High School. He went on to serve with the United States Navy during World War II. Obtaining the rank of Fireman First class, he served in the PACIFIC theater aboard the USS Warren, the USS Egeria, and the USS Oak Hill. He was a recipient of the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Ribbon.

He was employed as a machinist in the #1 Machine Shop at U.S. Steel's Lorain Works. He retired in 1987 following more than 43 years of service with the company.

A parishioner of the Catholic Church of St. Peter (Lorain), he was a member of the Self Help for the Hard of Hearing in Lorain County.

An avid golfer, he also enjoyed building and flying radio controlled airplanes. He was a member of the Cloud Climbers Radio Control Club.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Nancy (nee Kacsandy), sons: John of Perry, Ohio and Tom of Sacramento, California, a grandson, Shaun and sisters, Mary Ann Pogacnik of Lorain, and Lillian Stack of Vermilion.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Vincent and Josephine (nee Valentincic) Pogacnik, and a brother, Edward.

Friends may call Sunday, February 9, 2003 from 2-6 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Monday, February 10th beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by his funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. in the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Avenue. The Reverend David G. Woost, associate pastor of the church of St. Peter will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

The family suggests contributions in his memory to either the Organ Restoration fund at the Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44053 or to the New Life Hospice, 5255 North Abbe Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035.