1915
Philip
2012
Philip J. Stropich
April 26, 1915 — July 17, 2012
Philip J. Stropich, 97
POLAND - Philip J. Stropich, 97, died July 17, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.
Mr. Stropich was born April 26, 1915, in East Youngstown, a son of Fred and Anna Marshall Stropich.
He was a 1933 Struthers High School graduate. Baseball was everything to him. At age 17, Philip started his career with Holy Trinity, where he played two years before moving to Lansingville, where he remained until 1936. He helped Struthers Northside Civics win three Slovak League crowns. In 1940, he entered the 'AA' League with the Buddie Furniture team, which won the championship.
Mr. Stropich went on to the Army, where he served with the 82nd and 13th Airborne Division in the European Theatre. He served for 45 months and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant, receiving an American Theater Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon with one bronze star, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Victory Medal for World War II.
After being discharged in 1946, he went on to play baseball with the Lustig's Shoes team and helped them win the 'AA' crown. During his baseball career, Phil played with the 1939 state semi pro champs and with the Army Tri-State champs in 1945. Some of Phil's other baseball achievements include induction to the Baseball Town Old Timers Association Hall of Fame in 1989, 1939 All Star Player with the all state semi pro team, and carrying a top batting average of .526 in the area and state tournament games at Idora Park with the Civics. He also had a tryout with the Cardinals from the Bronx in 1940.
Apart from baseball, he owned and operated Phil's Tavern in Struthers for 37 years. He also was a member of Holy Family Parish, where he was an usher for over 40 years.
His first wife, Cecelia (Popovich), whom he married Nov. 8, 1941, died Aug. 7, 1956. He then went on to marry Jennie (Hevalo) on Oct. 25, 1958, who died Feb. 28, 2002
He is survived by two daughters, Paulette (Larry) Fry of New Middletown and Phyllis Stropich of Texas; one sister, Gertrude Petko of Campbell; and two grandchildren, Christopher Leach and Kimberly Petersen, both of Texas.
Besides his parents, and his first and second wife, Philip was preceded in death by one brother, Frederick Stropich; and one sister, Margaret Lucas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in New Middletown, where friends may call one hour prior at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland.
POLAND - Philip J. Stropich, 97, died July 17, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Health Center.
Mr. Stropich was born April 26, 1915, in East Youngstown, a son of Fred and Anna Marshall Stropich.
He was a 1933 Struthers High School graduate. Baseball was everything to him. At age 17, Philip started his career with Holy Trinity, where he played two years before moving to Lansingville, where he remained until 1936. He helped Struthers Northside Civics win three Slovak League crowns. In 1940, he entered the 'AA' League with the Buddie Furniture team, which won the championship.
Mr. Stropich went on to the Army, where he served with the 82nd and 13th Airborne Division in the European Theatre. He served for 45 months and was discharged as a Staff Sergeant, receiving an American Theater Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon with one bronze star, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Victory Medal for World War II.
After being discharged in 1946, he went on to play baseball with the Lustig's Shoes team and helped them win the 'AA' crown. During his baseball career, Phil played with the 1939 state semi pro champs and with the Army Tri-State champs in 1945. Some of Phil's other baseball achievements include induction to the Baseball Town Old Timers Association Hall of Fame in 1989, 1939 All Star Player with the all state semi pro team, and carrying a top batting average of .526 in the area and state tournament games at Idora Park with the Civics. He also had a tryout with the Cardinals from the Bronx in 1940.
Apart from baseball, he owned and operated Phil's Tavern in Struthers for 37 years. He also was a member of Holy Family Parish, where he was an usher for over 40 years.
His first wife, Cecelia (Popovich), whom he married Nov. 8, 1941, died Aug. 7, 1956. He then went on to marry Jennie (Hevalo) on Oct. 25, 1958, who died Feb. 28, 2002
He is survived by two daughters, Paulette (Larry) Fry of New Middletown and Phyllis Stropich of Texas; one sister, Gertrude Petko of Campbell; and two grandchildren, Christopher Leach and Kimberly Petersen, both of Texas.
Besides his parents, and his first and second wife, Philip was preceded in death by one brother, Frederick Stropich; and one sister, Margaret Lucas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in New Middletown, where friends may call one hour prior at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland.
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