Allen Blazek

Allen E. Blazek, 74, passed away on Tuesday morning with family members at his side. Born November 14, 1938, to Ernest and Mary (Pirko) Blazek, he was a life-long Lake Milton resident. Allen was a proud Jackson-Milton graduate who excelled in football, basketball and track. He earned the nickname, "Spike," for his hard-hitting football play in high school the name stuck with him for decades. He was awarded The Billy Patton Memorial Trophy recognizing the most outstanding male athlete in the Class of 1957. More than 50 years later, Allen still proudly talked about earning this honor. He was inducted in the Jackson-Milton Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. He also served on the Jackson-Milton school board in the late '70s. His passion for sports continued throughout his life, particularly watching his children and grandchildren play sports and the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays and Western Reserve Blue Devils (Berlin Center) football games. Allen also was a die-hard Cleveland Browns, Cavaliers and Indians fan. "Allen," "Spike," "Al," "Big Al," "Uncle Al," "Dad," and "Grandpa" will be lovingly remembered as an outgoing, sentimental and patriotic man with a strong work ethic. Allen enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: visiting with family and friends, telling stories and bragging about his grandchildren, caring for pets and watching sunsets. On June 23, 1959, he married his high-school sweetheart Joan (Gura) for 53 years. Allen and Joan operated Lakeside Golf Course in Lake Milton for more than 30 years. Prior to Lakeside, he worked as a carpenter building commercial properties and residential homes for nearly 20 years. In 1981, Allen fell in love with horse racing with the purchase of his first horse, Sodabrat. He raced harness and thoroughbred horses at Northfield, Meadowlands, Mountaineer and Thistledown race parks. He will be remembered by family and friends he left behind: his wife, Joan; daughters Melisa Blazek and Michele (David) Ewing; sons Mitch (Becky) Blazek and Mark (Judi) Blazek; and his grandchildren Nicole, Kristi, Shane, Colton, Abby, Paige, Wyatt, Bryce, Connor and Taylor; sister-in-law, Dorothy Hash; brother-in-law, Albert Mudrinich; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gilbert; nephew, Gilbert Jr.; and sister-in-law, Roselyn (Gura) Mudrinich. Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Sat., August 17 at St. James Catholic Church in North Jackson. Funeral services will be held at noon with Rev. David Merzweiler as celebrant. Family requests contributions be made in Allen's name to Hospice of the Valley Hospice House in Poland.