Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 3, 2011, from Higgins-O'Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. He had several trophies for his accomplishments as a candlepin bowler and for his prowess at playing Eight-Ball. John had a soft spot for anyone who was down on their luck and was quick to float a loan with extremely liberal terms. In his younger days in the summer you could hear the polka music blaring up and down Swanzey Street as he worked in the garden. John loved to dance as long as it was a polka. They both so enjoyed having their whole family around them. Holidays and family events were always a big deal with "Grampa" and his beloved wife, Frances at their home. His garden was always a prolific producer, and he would share his bounty with everyone in the neighborhood. ![]() He would gather all the neighbors’ leaves in the fall for mulch and in the spring a load of horse manure to the chagrin of the neighbors. John was an accomplished gardener and often had the first red tomato in the neighborhood. He rebuilt his home on Swanzey Street, one room at a time with his own hands. He was a perfectionist in his craft and a 32nd of an inch was meaningful. ![]() He was an accomplished carpenter and enjoyed many hours in his workshop building furniture and repairing the broken chairs, tables and other furniture that neighbors and friends would bring to him. He was a proud member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and was awarded "Elk of the Year". On his return, he spent a short time assembling automobile seats until he finally found his calling as a cabinet maker at Heywood Wakefield Furniture in Gardner where he spent most of his working career. Weeks later he left to serve his country during World War II in England and France where he was stationed for 3 years as a Surgeon Tech. ![]() He married Frances (Pralinsky) Mazaika in 1943. He often spoke of the hundreds of newspapers he delivered for the Gardner news as a youngster. John graduated from Gardner High School in 1936. He leaves behind his daughter, Jean Laakso and husband Daniel Laakso (who passed away January 4, 2011) of Athol, son, Paul Mazaika and his wife, Jeanine, of Manchester, NH four grandchildren Scott Laakso, Gary Laakso, Erica Mazaika and Ken Mazaika, and two great-grandchildren, Colin and Cali Laakso. John was born in Gardner, February 21, 1918, son of the late John Mazaika and Mary (Slegris) Mazaika. An independent candidate, Ross Perot, won 18.91% - the most votes for an independent candidate since Teddy Roosevelt's run for President in 1912.Athol - John Mazaika, 93, passed away in his sleep on Monday, February 28th at the Providence Cliff Senior Residence in Athol. Clinton won 43.01% of the popular vote to Bush's 37.45%. Clinton became the 42nd President of the United States. In 1993, in the year of John Mazaika's passing, on January 20th, William J. Previously the Vice President to President Eisenhower, Nixon was the only President to resign in office - in his second term. Nixon became the 37th President of the United States. In 1969, when he was 47 years old, on January 20th, Richard M. Elvis scandalized adults and thrilled teens. ![]() He began the year as a regional favorite and ended the year with 17 recordings having been on the Billboard’s Top 100 singles chart, 11 TV appearances, and a movie. In 1956, at the age of 34 years old, John was alive when this was the year that the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, became an international sensation. Since most returning vets immediately found work, less than 20% of the unemployment benefits were distributed. Benefits provided for veterans to return to school (high school, vocational school, or college), obtain low interest home mortgages and low interest business loans, and (if needed) one year of unemployment insurance. Bill, was signed into law, pushed through by the veteran's organizations. In 1944, by the time he was 22 years old, on June 22nd, the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, called the G.I. No one, on either side, ever faced jail time. The next day, union miners killed 23 strikebreakers and mine guards. Three union workers were killed when gunfire was exchanged. The striking miners were outraged at the strikebreakers (scabs) that the company had brought in and laid siege to the mine. In 1922, in the year that John Mazaika was born, on June 22, coal miners in Herrin Illinois, were on strike (coal miners had been on strike nationally since April 1). Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during John's lifetime.
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