James C. Mazak

It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of James C. Mazak, 74, of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, who passed away unexpectedly on May 27, 2026.
Born on February 18, 1952, he grew up in Apollo, Pennsylvania, and spent his life devoted to his family, friends, and community. He was the beloved husband of 19 years
to Deborah Mazak, with whom he shared countless memories, laughter, and companionship. Jim had an unforgettable sense of humor, a contagious laugh and a way of making friends everywhere he went. Whether you knew him for a lifetime or only a few minutes, you walked away with a story, a smile, or a laugh because that was simply who he was. Jim retired from the Kiski Area School District after 20 years of dedicated service as a custodian. Before that, he owned and operated Mazak’s Auto Body, where he was known for his hard work, craftsmanship, and willingness to help others. In his free time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, tinkering in his garage, and trying his luck at the casino. He will be remembered as a loyal friend, a hard working man, and someone who took pride in everything he did. He believed in doing things the right way and worked hard throughout his life to provide for the people he loved. HIs strength, generosity, and reliability were admired by everyone who knew him. Above all else, he loved his family deeply. He was a devoted father to his children and a proud grandfather to his beloved grandchildren. He treasured time spent with his family and never missed an opportunity to joke around, cheer someone up, or remind those he loved just how much they meant to him. He is survived by his children, Melissa Vovaris, Cris (Mazak) Hunter, and Steve Mazak; and his stepchildren, Chrystal D’Angelo, Tracey Brown (Chris), and Ryan D’Angelo (Ana). He was a proud and devoted grandfather (Jim Bob) to nine grandchildren: Owen, Alex, Rylee, Madison, Guiliana, Layla, Zoe, Camila, and Mia, all of whom brought him immense joy.
Though our hearts are shattered by his sudden loss, we will forever carry his laughter, stories, humor, and love with us. The world feels quieter without him in it, but his memory will live on through the countless lives he touched. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Slovak Club in East Vandergrift, PA from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity organization of your choice in his memory, or simply that you honor him by sharing a laugh, or spending time with the people you love.

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