JOHN LASZEK

John Laszek, 73 Delaware County Athlete John Laszek, 73. Died suddenly on October 15, 2010, of heart failure in Crozer Emergency Room in Chester. John was born and raised in Chester, PA. Mr. Laszek lived in Chester Heights for the past 44 years. He attended Chester schools and graduated as Class President from Chester High School in 1955. He earned his B.S. degree in Education from Millersville State Teachers College in 1959 and began his career in education at Pulaski Junior High School in the Chester School District. After 4 years there, he moved to Penn Delco School District where he taught Industrial Arts at Brookhaven Junior High School for 5 years. He earned his Masters Degree in Counseling from Villanova University and worked as a guidance counselor and Vo-Tech coordinator at Sun Valley High School until his retirement in January of 1996. John began his illustrious basketball career playing for his "Ukie" church team, and went on to play varsity basketball at Chester High School from 1953 to 1955. In 1954 and 1955, his team had a record of 51 wins and 5 losses. In 1955 he was a team captain, All-Delco, and All-State Honorable Mention. From 1956 to 1959 he was a 3-year starter for Millersville, winning the State College championship from 1956 to 1959. In 1957 Millersville was NAIA District Champions and played in the National Championship game in Kansas City. In 1958 he was named to the All-Palestra Visiting Team, was a team captain, named to the All-State College Conference team and in 1959 given Honorable Mention Little All-American recognition. John enjoyed being a member of the PA Sports Hall of Fame, Delco Athletes Hall of Fame where he served on the Board of Directors, Delco Oldtimers Hall of Fame, Millersville Sports Hall of Fame, Chester High School Hall of Fame, Ridley Township Old Timers, Delvets Post #1 of Wilmington, PSEA, NEA, and was a lifetime member of the US Tennis Association. John was an avid tennis player and fisherman, and enjoyed reading non-fiction, especially biographies. He was also a lifelong active member of St. Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chester. John was very proud of his Ukrainian culture. Survivors: He is survived by his wife Jane, his son John T. Laszek and many nieces and nephews who all loved their "Uncle John". He is pre-deceased by his mother Anna Kalacuniak Laszek, his father John Laszek, his brother Walter, and sisters Helen Kalichak and Rose Toth. Service: Parastas will be 7 PM Thursday night at the Kaniefski-Kendus-D'anjolell Memorial Home, with Pankhyda will be 9 AM on Friday. Funeral service will be 10 AM on Friday at Saint Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Church 3rd & Ward Street Chester, PA. Visitation: Calling hours will be after 6pm Thursday night and after 8am on Friday morning at the Kaniefski-Kendus-D'Anjolell Memorial Home 3900 West 9th St., Trainer, Pa. Burial: Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood, PA. Contributions: To a place of your choice in memory of John would be welcomed