Mario Pekar

MARIO PEKAR 78, of Willoughby Hills, passed away March 3, 2016 in the arms of his loving wife Esperanza surrounded by family and friends at St. Joseph Medical Center in Warren, OH. He heroically battled Parkinson’s disease for six years. Born in Klana, a province of Venezia Giulia, Italy, Mario crossed the border near Trieste after the war and was given refugee status in southern Italy. In 1959, he immigrated to Cleveland with the help of family and friends. He gained machinery experience and knowledge while employed by Cleveland Twist Drill and Mutual Metal Products and in 1978, along with Rudi Snajdar started Klana Precision Metal Works. In 1980, Mario married the love of his life, Esperanza (Becerra) and opened Klana Grinding Inc ., with his wife as his partner. Mario had a heart of gold and had the desire to help those in need whenever possible, just as he had been helped by others. He loved all sports and never lost interest in soccer which was his favorite boyhood sport and played it passionately. He was kind, compassionate and a loving person with an infectious smile, a hearty laugh and always ready for a joke or funny story. Mario was loved by many people and will be dearly missed, especially by his wife who was always by his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leonardo and Anna Pekar; dear brother of Ida (deceased), Lucio (Laura) (both deceased), Karlo (deceased)(Ivanka), Marica (Stojan) Pacemski, Ivanka (Ivan) Pojatina (both deceased) and Albert Pekar ; son-in-law of Maria (Jesus Sr. deceased) Becerra; brother-in-law of Gloria (Anthony deceased) Chresos , Amparo, Jesus Jr. and David(deceased) Becerra and Josefina (Ante) Krizan; uncle of Eddy Pojatina (deceased), Mary Ann (Ron) Kulla, Jeanie (Edward) Skuza, Manda Krizan, Ante (Tina) Krizan and many more in Croatia and USA; cousin of Melenca Simcich.

A special thank you to Dr. Satnam Sandhu, Dr. Jonathan Boyd and the entire staff at Andover Village Skilled Nursing for the good care he received. A very special thank you to Dr. Robert E. Bisel and Donna Kaiser NPC for their loving care. A very special thank you to Fr. John Kumse, Fr. Mirko Hladni and Msgr. Milan Simcic from Rome, Italy for their continuous prayers and support.

Memorial donations in his name can be forwarded to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Paul Croatian Catholic Church or to the National Parkinson’s Foundation.

Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2016 at St. Mary’s Church 15519 Holmes Ave. Cleveland, OH followed by burial in All Souls Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the ZEVNIK-COSIC FUNERAL HOME 28890 CHARDON RD. (BETWEEN BISHOP RD. AND RT. 91) WILLOUGHBY HILLS SUNDAY 2-4 AND 6-8 P.M.

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