John Mazaika

Athol – John Mazaika, 93, passed away in his sleep on Monday, February 28th at the Providence Cliff Senior Residence in Athol.  John was born in Gardner, February 21, 1918, son of the late John Mazaika and Mary (Slegris) Mazaika. 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 graduated from Gardner High School in 1936.  He often spoke of the hundreds of newspapers he delivered for the Gardner news as a youngster.  He married Frances (Pralinsky) Mazaika in 1943. 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.  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. He was a proud member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and was awarded “Elk of the Year”.  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 perfectionist in his craft and a 32nd of an inch was meaningful.  He rebuilt his home on Swanzey Street, one room at a time with his own hands. John was an accomplished gardener and often had the first red tomato 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.   His garden was always a prolific producer, and he would share his bounty with everyone in the neighborhood. Holidays and family events were always a big deal with “Grampa” and his beloved wife, Frances at their home.  They both so enjoyed having their whole family around them.  John loved to dance as long as it was a polka.  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 had a soft spot for anyone who was down on their luck and was quick to float a loan with extremely liberal terms. He had several trophies for his accomplishments as a candlepin bowler and for his prowess at playing Eight-Ball.  He was an avid Patriots and Red Sox Fan. 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. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 105 Main Street, Athol.  Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery and calling hours will be Wednesday, March 2, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. $(document).ready(function(){ });