Leon Wolchik

Leon T. Wolchik, age 94, of Millcreek passed away on Thursday October 17, 2013 at UPMC Hamot.

He was born in Coraopolis, PA on May 4, 1919 the son of the late Michael Dimitrius and Anna Havchlik Wolchik. Leon served during WWII in the 82nd Airborne Division, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and served in Germany and Belgium. Leon worked at The General Electric Company from 1937 to 1941, owned and operated Dan and Lee’s Restaurant and Tavern in Albion, and was co-owner of Wendell’s Lawn and Garden Sales and Service, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the former Perkins Presbyterian Church (now New Hope Presbyterian Church) since 1961, serving as an elder, Chairman of Building and Grounds Committee and on various other committees. He was a Republican Committeman for 30 years. He enjoyed hunting, golfing, traveling and spending time with his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Shelley Cacchione, of Erie; four brothers, Walter, Dan, Fred and Steve Wolchik; and three sisters, Olga Wolchik, Stephanie Anderson and Helen Canale. He is survived by his wife, Olga Fillak Wolchik, whom he married in 1947; two daughters: Dr. Sharon Wolchik and her husband John Varnum, of Takoma Park, MD and Dr. Sharlene Wolchik and her husband Philip Poirier, MD, of Tempe, AZ; and seven grandchildren, Michael, Andrew and Catherine (Annie) Varnum; Lauren Wolchik and Katie Poirier; and Orianna and Zachary Cacchione. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Wells, Mary Wolchik, and Ruth Wolchik; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 602West 10th Street on Sunday from 2-5pm and are invited to the service on Monday at 1pm at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 5440 Washington Avenue, Erie, PA 16509. Burial will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Hope Presbyterian Church or the Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western PA, 490 East North Avenue, Suite 410, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.