David Pekich

Published in the Johnstown Tribune Democrat from 4/1/2008 - 4/3/2008

PEKICH – David, 63, lost his brief battle with cancer on March 31, 2008, at the Carolyn Croxton Slane Hospice Residence, Harrisburg.

He was born Jan. 28, 1945, in Johnstown, a son of Theodore and Mary (Simko) Pekich. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved Tuxie and K.C.

He graduated from Westmont Hilltop High School in 1962 and from Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio.

He retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Executive Offices, as an accounting systems analyst.

Dave was a standout baseball player in the Johnstown area and played scholastically and in junior leagues prior to being drafted and signed by the Detroit Tiger organization, where he played for several years.

He was an avid golfer, having played tournament golf for many years in the Harrisburg area. He was a former member of the Manada Golf Club and the Golf Club at Felicita, where he was a club champion. He was currently a member of the Blue Ridge Country Club. He was also a member of St. Therese Church, Johnstown.

Surviving are his wife, Jan; a brother, Steve, and his wife, Pam; and nieces, Jen Arthur and Liz Pekich, Arlington, Mass.; a brother, John, and niece, Lee Freeman, Dennisville, N.J.; brother-in-law, Rick Hornick, and his wife, Linda, and niece, Elizabeth Hornick, North Huntingdon, Pa.; nephew, Nick, Johnstown; brother-in-law, Jim Hornick, Sacramento, Calif.; close cousin, Mark Simko, Johnstown; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and a legion of dear and devoted friends. Visitation will be held beginning at 11 a.m. Friday at the Hoover Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 6011 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg.

A service commemorating his life will be conducted by Father John Acri at 1 p.m. In keeping with Dave’s laid-back nature, it is requested that golf or casual clothing be worn in any color but black.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dave’s name to Best Little Cat House in Pa., P.O. Box 6346, Harrisburg, Pa. 17112, or St. Therese Church, 536 Decker Ave., Johnstown, Pa. 15906.