WALAT – Casimir “Chizzie,” 88, Boswell, died Oct. 12, 2014. Born Feb. 21, 1926, in Boswell, son of Andrew and Anastasia (Russian) Walat. Preceded in death by parents; wife of 48 years, the former Florence Fracos, on Sept. 28, 1996; sisters, Catherine, Marie, Joan, Sylvia, Louise, Frances and Isabelle; and brothers, Martin, Dan, George and Walter. Survived by children, Anita, widow of George Krupa, Jerome; Janie Walat, and companion, David Schneider, Jenner Township; and Marty, married to Karen Long, Stoystown; and grandchildren, Melissa Krupa, widow of Larry Wickens; and Brett and Cody Walat. Also survived by sisters-in-law, Kathryn Walat and Dorothy Wallet; brother-in-law, Fred Fracos; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lifetime member of All Saints Catholic Parish and former St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Also a member of Jenner Rod & Gun Club, where he had been a longtime officer, bartender and member of the fish committee responsible for the club’s fishing lake. Member of Laborers Union of Pennsylvania; Jerome Nest 556 Polish Falcons of America; and Somerset County Baseball Hall of Fame. Retired construction worker for Gamble & Gamble & Sheesley Construction Co. Co-founder and coach of Boswell Little League and Pee Wee League. One of the founders of Jenner-Boswell Wrestling Boosters and was a District V Wrestling Champion during his junior year of high school. After enlisting in the U.S. Navy prior to his senior year, he served aboard the USS Parks during World War II. He was an avid deer, small game and coon hunter and was a blue gill fisherman and mushroom gatherer. Along with his late wife, Flo, enjoyed gardening and canning. He taught his children to love sports and the outdoors. He was very proud of his Polish heritage and spoke Polish fluently. Chizzie was the last surviving member of his immediate family of 12 children. Viewing will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hoffman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 409 Main St., Boswell, where vigil for the deceased will be held Wednesday. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at All Saints Church, Boswell, the Rev. Father Martin Cingle, celebrant. Committal, church cemetery, with military rites accorded by Somerset County Honor Guard. To express condolences, light a candle or order flowers, visit hoffmanfuneralhomes.com.

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