WILLIAM G. HUDACSEK SR.

The Spectator

Sat Nov 22, 2008, 08:26 PM EST

AMBRIDGE, Pa. — William G. Hudacsek Sr., 84, died Friday (Nov. 7, 2008) at the Commons of Squirrel Hill in Economy, Pa.

Born Aug. 22, 1924, in Adrian, Pa., he was the son of the late John J. and Sophia Lichvarcik Hudacsek. William “Bill” worked for the former Elmhurst Dairy (Byrne Dairy Inc.) in Hornell and was a retired employee of the Wyckoff Drawn Steel Co. in Pennsylvania. Following his retirement, he worked as a private investigator for the John J. Hudacsek Jr. Law Firm, was a certified NRA safety instructor and developed a crime watch program in his area.

Bill was an avid golfer and a talented sketch artist. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII from 1943-45 and was a longtime member of the Baden Township American Legion Post 641 in Ambridge.

Bill can be remembered for his love of baseball, which was immeasurable. At the age of 16, on the strength of his hitting, he was called up by Washington, Pa. of the Penn State League, a Cardinals subsidiary, and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals minor league. He was assigned uniform No. 9, which was a hand-me-down from the major parent club. His first hit as a pro was a home run, dead center, over the scoreboard and in center field. Following a severe head injury after colliding with a centerfield fence, he was released.

Bill retuned to his hometown of Ambridge and played for various teams in his area including the Coal Barons, the Diplomats and the Mustangs, before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was affiliated with their various farm teams in the Mid Atlantic Pony League and played for the Rochester, Pa., Pirates, the Hornell Pirates and the Olean Oilers. He was described as a budding Joe DiMaggio, classified as one of the Pirates’ most potential heavy stick, southpaw wielders and was acclaimed as the hitter of the longest home run ball ever blasted out of the field. Although his career as a ballplayer ended after he was drafted into the U.S. Army, he coached Little League baseball for many years.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Frances Organ Hudacsek, Aug. 30, 2001; and a brother, John J. Hudacsek Jr., April 16, 2005.

Surviving are a son, William G. Hudacsek Jr. and his wife, Samia, of Aurora, Colo.; daughters, Karen Heckel and Peg Hudacsek, both of Canisteo; a stepson, Ronald Evanish and his wife, Betty, of Pittsburgh; stepdaughters, Patricia Bulfalini and her husband, James, of Economy, Pa.

and Pam Soltis of San Juan, Calif.; six grandchildren, Jasmin Hudacsek of Colorado, Peter Heckel of Canisteo, Jamie Soltis, Michael Soltis, Richard Soltis and Brian Bufalini; one great-grandchild, Sadie Heckel of Canisteo; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Sylvia Hudacsek of Cortland, Ohio; and nieces and nephews.

At Bill’s request, plans for an immediate cremation with remains to be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colo. beside his wife, were made. The Bohn-Matich Funeral Home Inc., 1099 Maplewood Ave., Ambridge, Pa., has been entrusted with the arrangements. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Canisteo American Legion.