| Graduation Year | Class of 1976 |
| Date of Passing | (unknown) |
| About | Zorich, Michael C. View/Sign Guest Book ZORICH Michael C. Zorich, age 85, of Reynoldsburg, while surrounded by his family went home to the Lord on January 12, 2008 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Galloway, West Virginia, to Pete and Anna (Safigan) Zorich. Raised in the Valley, he graduated from Powhatan Point High School in 1939 where as an avid athlete, he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Ohio University where he was a wrestler and a boxer. His studies were interrupted by WW II. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 where he was an Artillery Staff Sergeant stationed in Italy. While in the service, he was a champion boxer for the Army and an enlisted man playing quarterback on the officer's team. After the war, he returned to Ohio University and graduated with honors with a degree in math education. He met and married Bernadette Golas in 1946. He taught and coached in Flushing, Ohio and Painesville, Ohio before accepting a position with Reynoldsburg City Schools in 1955. One of his coaching highlights was his 1957 RHS Varsity Basketball team, who were true champions. He obtained a Masters Degree from The Ohio State University in 1963. He served as principal of Reynoldsburg Middle School from 1966-1986 retiring with 38+ years of services as an educator. Known for his strict discipline, many of his former students thanked him for his "personal" style of teaching and coaching. After retirement, "Z" loved to hit the golf links especially at Willow Run with accurate putting as his niche. He was very active in local bowling leagues and loved to play pinochle and bridge with his many friends at the Reynoldsburg Senior Citizen Center. "Z" touched many lives throughout the years and especially enjoyed having former students remember him. Wherever he traveled he often came across someone he knew to shake hands with and to shoot the breeze. He loved to interact with people and was fond of telling stories, often incorporating poetry and quotes. He was full of energy and full of life. "Z" was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years Bernie in 2003 and siblings Ann, Rose, Pete, John and Steve. Immediate family survivors include his children, Michael C.(Debbie) Zorich, II; Christine (Don) Ginder and their two daughters, Mary Beth and Monica, Diane (Wade) Oliver, Steve (Marsha) Zorich, David "Buzzy" (Linda) Zorich and their two daughters, Jenni and Carissa; and brother, George (Gene) Zorich. He will also be missed by his very special friend, Hennie Tellings, with whom he recently shared many lovely times and much laughter. A funeral Mass for "Z" will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1051 S Waggoner Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, where he has been a member for 50 years. His family will receive friends and relatives from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, January 17, 2008 and Friday, January 18, 2008 between 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. at COTNER FUNERAL HOME, 7369 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an educational scholarship c/o Michael C. Zorich Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 701, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Messages may be sent to his family at www.cotnerfuneralhome.com "Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries" Published in The Columbus Dispatch from 1/13/2008 - 1/16/2008. Updated Information. |
