Obituary

Mesaros, James Robert “Jim”, age 87 of Hooversville, PA, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the James E. Van Zandt Veterans Medical Center Hospice Unit, Altoona, PA. Born in Johnstown, PA, on June 15, 1936, Jim was the eldest of nine children of the late John Mesaros Jr. and Dorothy Mae (Hauser) Mesaros. He was married to the late Sharon L. (Simmons) Mesaros for 22 years, until her death in January 2013. Surviving Jim are brothers, John H. Mesaros (Josephina), Gainesville, FL; Robert A. Mesaros (Catherine), West Chester; George W. Mesaros (Kathryn), Englewood, FL; and Richard L. Mesaros (Carol), Savannah, GA; sister, Elizabeth McNulty (Daniel), Surprise, AZ; step children, Stephen M. Mastovich, Franklin Boro; and Lisa E. Emery (Brian), Hollsopple; step-granddaughters, Jamie L. (Michael) Andrews, Hollsopple; Miranda F. Mastovich, Chesterfield, IN; great-grandchild, Ensley Sharp; 19 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews, all of whom loved Jim as a humorous and fun uncle. Everyone has their favorite “Jim story.” In addition to his parents and wife, Jim was preceded in death by brothers, Kenneth C. Mesaros (Eleanor), Elyria, OH; Leonard R. Mesaros and wife Sandra, West Haven, CT; and sister, Anna Mary Elka and husband Richard, Johnstown.

Jim graduated from Franklin High School (now Conemaugh Valley) in 1954, where he was a lineman on the football team. In 1959, he enlisted in the Army and attended Guided Missile Ordinance School, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL, where he completed two years of college equivalent training for repair and maintenance of missiles and launchers. He was transferred to the U.S Army Corps and was based in Ft. Lewis, Washington and Ft. Wainwright, Yukon, Alaska. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged in 1962.

In his civilian life, Jim utilized his military training and expertise as an automobile and construction equipment mechanic. He was also skilled at auto body restoration. He was an avid gardener who delighted in presenting family and neighbors with freshly picked vegetables. Jim’s favorite past times were sailing his boat at Prince Gallitzin State Park, playing billiards, watching the Steelers, and reading science journals. He was a self-described “tinkerer”, always wanting to know how things worked. He was a devout Catholic and was kind and considerate with a generous spirit. He is loved and sadly missed by family and friends, including close neighbors on Weible Drive, Hooversville.

Friends will be received Saturday June 15th from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. at St. Gregory Catholic Church, Boltz St, (Daisytown) Johnstown. Rev. Callistus I. Elue, officiating. Committal and interment to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Johnstown. Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com