widowed from his wife of 68 years, Anna “Ann” Louise (Zuray) Mariskanish who died December 21, 2016.
In the 1930’s he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Homer City. He served our country during World War II as a Ship’s Cook Second Class in the U.S. Navy. He was a barber for over 30 years in the Strongstown area, where he also operated a gun shop. Sam was the Road Master for Pine Township and later became the township supervisor, a position he held for many years, retiring in 1997.
Sam was a life member of the Heilwood Sportsman’s Club and belonged to the Heilwood American Legion.
He was an avid hunter and also a pretty good sharp shooter who entered many gun shoot competitions. In his younger days, Sam enjoyed playing Pinochle.
He and his late wife Ann were members of St. John The Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dixonville.
He is survived by his six children: Sandra Mariskanish Rockmore & husband Michael, Myrtle Beach; Mary Mariskanish Morfenski and husband David, Penn Run; Yvonne Mariskanish Dougherty & husband Gerard, Penn Run; Cathy Mariskanish Lavelle & husband Phillip, Houston, PA; Ann Marie Mariskanish Gialanella & husband Kennith, Adamsburg, PA; and Samuel Mariskanish Jr. and wife Kelly, Canonsburg. He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, Sam was preceded in death by the following siblings: Mary Ulken, Katherine Zuray, Stephen Mariskanish, Helen Gollis, and John, Joseph and Harry Mariskanish.
Friends will be received on Tuesday March 13 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home, Clymer. A Parastas service will be held at 7 p.m. His funeral service will be Wednesday morning March 14 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Father George Hnatko officiating. Burial will be at St. Patrick Cemetery at Cameron Bottom.
Memorial donations may be made either to the St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Dixonville, Box 41, Dixonville, PA 15734, or to the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, PO Box 319, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.
