Alexander Stanley Zachwieja

Richmond, VA- Alexander Stanley “Alex” Zachwieja, 88, passed away after an extended illness in Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. Alex, formerly of Bluefield, West Virginia, was born February 26, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Stanley and Sophia Jaszyna Zachwieja. Alex was preceded in death by his parents, his brother John F. Zachwieja, and his sisters Geneva Zachwieja Miller and Agnes Zachwieja Sardler. After attending Elkhorn High School, he graduated in 1946 as a Machinist 1st Class from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Apprentice School in Norfolk, Virginia. While stationed in Seoul, South Korea during the Korean War, he proudly served his country in the United States Army as a T4 Technician in the 404th Ordnance Division supplying Army combat units with weaponry and ammunition, and sustaining maintenance of this equipment. For thirty-three years, he was employed as a machinist for Coppinger Machinery Service in Bluefield, retiring in 1986. On August 11, 1951, Alex married Helen Rodgers Gore at St. John’s Catholic Church in Mullens, West Virginia. Four sons, nine grandchildren, their spouses, and 4 great-grandchildren resulted from this union: Alexander and wife Gwen of Cleveland, Virginia; Joseph and wife Beth, of Aurora, Illinois; Christopher and wife Robin of Glen Allen, Virginia; and Mark of Charleston, West Virginia. Zachwieja grandsons include Ross and wife Sarah, Erik, Todd, Noah, David, and Kyle, with granddaughters Rachel and Sara Zachwieja, and Lacey and husband Kevin Parker. Great-grandchildren include Abigail Zachwieja and triplets Hadley, Madeline and Reagan Parker. Alex also leaves a large, loving family of nieces and nephews that he provided a father-figure role to, due to circumstances in their lives, along with sisters-in-laws, a brother-in-law, great-nieces and great-nephews. Alex was very active throughout his life in religious, civic and fraternal organizations. As a life-long parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield, he was a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus. Additionally, he was active in multiple ministries: serving on Parish Council and was a Eucharistic Minister at Sacred Heart. Alex devoted many hours of volunteer time to the Bluefield Baseball Club and other athletic organizations that his sons were involved in. He was also a member of the American Legion Riley Vest Post No. 9 and was the Past Exalted Ruler of the Bluefield Elks Lodge No. 269. At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia. Visitation will be held at Mercer Funeral Home, 1231 West Cumberland Road, in Bluefield, on Sunday, June 19, 2016 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, following with a Vigil Prayer Service led by Rev. Deacon Don Hammond. On Monday, June 20, at 11:00 am a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1003 Wyoming Street, Bluefield. Interment will immediately follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell, West Virginia, with Fr. Prakash Sebastian serving as Officiant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on behalf of the Little Sisters of the Poor at www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/donate-to-lsp/ Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Alexander Stanley “Alex” Zachwieja.

Alexander Stanley Zachwieja

February 26, 1928 - June 15, 2016