People from Nemacolin, Pennsylvania





William G. Charnoki Monsignor William G. Charnoki from Nemacolin
Monsignor William G. Charnoki from Nemacolin

Richard Trumka from Nemacolin

Steve Popovich of Nemacolin, Pennsylvania talks about his home town.

Mid 50's - Nemacolin PA, Soda Grille, The Penguins, Johnny Ace, Hank Williams, The Crew Cuts, 5 Satins on the jukebox, Porky Chedwick, Leon Sykes and Sir Walter on the radio, coal miners, 15 cent movies, 500 families of Italians, Slovenes, Serbians, Polish, Croatians, Greeks, Black, Czech, all in the same boat working for the coal companies. Argentina Antonini made the best spaghetti sauce in the world and loved the fact that when she cooked spaghetti for the church once a year, I ate more than anyone in town. I use her sauce recipe to this day and it's still the best!!
The Gaylords were one of the groups on the jukebox at the Soda Grille, with "From the Vine Came the Grape" "Little Shoemaker" and "Isle of Capri." Certainly to millions of Italian-Americans these guys are the greatest! For anyone growing up in the 50's these guys, like the finest spaghetti sauce recipe, are survivors in an industry of one hit wonders.
- Steve Popovich

Frank (Chief) Gorcheck with San Bernadino Padres
Frank Gorcheck with San Bernadino Padres

John and Amanda

Steve Korcheck - baseball catcher - from Nemacolin
Steve Korcheck - March Ave., Old Side

UMW banner

Actively Retired

George Holupka

Actively Retired is a periodic feature highlighting UMWA retirees still working on behalf of the union.

Sixty-year L.U. 6290 member George Holupka of Nemacolin, Pa., keeps so busy assisting other pensioners and miners' widows, making sure unemployed members are fed and volunteering for other UMWA activities that even his wife of 45 years, Patty, has a hard time tracking him down.

UMWA Actively Retired - George Holupka A member of the UMWA's Pensioner Leadership Committee, the 77-year-old activist spends a lot of time visiting and helping UMWA widows and older pensioners, who sometimes don't understand everything about their pensions and benefits. "I'm honored to help those who served our union so long by deciphering letters, cutting red tape and dealing with lawyers," he said. "I'm available at all hours to drive them to their lawyers, doctors and hospitals."

Holupka, currently L.U. 6290's recording secretary and treasurer, also works with the Subdistrict 4 food bank to ensure that laid-off miners and their families are receiving food. And he remains politically active on behalf of the UMWA especially around election time and serves as vice president of the Nemacolin community council.

"George is one of the backbones of our District," said District 2 IEB member Dan Kane. "Anytime we need him, he is always there." District 2 President Ed Yankovich agreed, adding, "He is a dedicated and hard-working leader who continues to vigorously pursue the goals of our great union. As a champion of our issues, George sets an outstanding example to all retirees and active members."

"One of our most important goals is to attract more young workers into our union," observed Holupka. "Too many kids today don't understand the benefits they can reap from union membership. Since many have it easier than their parents did, they still think unions are not for them. Well, I've got something to tell them," he stressed: "Our union is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. The UMWA can help all workers young and old alike. We must get our message across to those who question the viability of unions in today's workplaces. We must convince the younger generation that the UMWA can improve their lifestyles through greater health care and pensions even more than it helped improve the older generation's quality of life."

Having just received his special 60-year pin, Holupka knows what he's talking about. He joined the UMWA at age 17 on July 16, 1941 shortly before the U.S. entered World War II. Within months, he answered Uncle Sam's call and served in the Army's 98th Signal Battalion under General MacArthur in the Philippines. In 1946, he returned to LTV's Nemacolin Mine prep plant, where he worked his entire career of nearly 47 years. "I started as a laborer," he recalled, "and then sampled coal before floating from job to job. I could walk to work every day. Just before the mine closed, I did water treatment work seven days a week."

"It's important to stay active in my union," he said, "because we have many issues to resolve. We must protect our health care, pensions and other benefits." About black lung, he said, "miners are sick and tired of going back and forth to doctors and being rejected. We are hopeful the new rules will make it easier for victims to get the compensation to which they are entitled."

Holupka does find time for two other passions: golf and attending Pittsburgh Steelers games for the past 54 years. "I must be one of the Steelers' oldest season ticket-holders."




John Edward

Sarah or Patrick or Adam or Mathew

Amelia Kuzniewska-Lysek

Edward Joseph Morofsky

Charles Lipchinsky on the beach
Charles Lipchinsky on the Beach

Born on 2nd floor of Hill Top Tavern
Born on 2nd floor


General George Marshall

Igor Gouzenko in a hood
Andrew Kavchak and Igor Gouzenko


Jan Zurakowski

Edward Leo Morofsky -     Edward Leo Morofsky, 1985, Ottawa

Richard Morofsky
Richard Morofsky

Robert Morofsky
Robert Morofsky

Dale Coughenour, husband of Annie Crackovich
Dale Coughenour, husband of Annie Crackovich

Robert Morofsky 1962 Graduation
Robert Morofsky 1962 Graduation

KETZ, Robert M; CTHS 1962; died Marlborough MA; Boston Globe; 2000-5-5

Kent Bishop CTHS 1962

Mickey Firkley - Wedell, Theodore Wedell and Martha Morofsky, PA 2001
Mickey Firkley - Wedell, Theodore Wedell and Martha Morofsky, PA 2001

Charles Benko Senior and Mary Berdar-Benko Celebrate Their 54th Wedding Anniversary in 1968

Martha Morofsky and the Safety Engineer touring Buckeye Mine in Nemacolin PA
Martha Morofsky and the Safety Engineer touring Buckeye Mine in Nemacolin PA

Marie and Chuck Williams at home in St. Petersburg, FL
Marie and Chuck Williams at home in St. Petersburg, FL

A Closer Look at Marie and Chuck
A Closer Look at Marie and Chuck

50th Wedding Anniversary of Marie and Chuck with Family
50th Wedding Anniversary of Marie and Chuck with Family

Eva and Marie Lysek Make Rosaries

Professor Erdem Cantekin

Eddie at Zanka's First Communion
Eddie at Zanka's First Communion


Professor James Ballowe

Cats and Dogs

Dave Belwa cooking for the RDDs
Dave Belwa cooking for the RDDs

Queen Coal 1962
Queen Coal 1962

Lysek

Natalie "Tillie" Lysek - Brady

Amos King Executed

Donald and Robert Buzonas
Donald and Robert Buzonas

Social Security Death Index:

Carmichaels, PA 15320

Crucible, PA 15325

Ronco, PA 15476

Adah, PA 15410

Masontown, PA 15461

Mather, PA 15346

Uniontown, PA 15401


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