JOHN BORSZCZ

John Borszcz, 76, of Medina, passed away at the Hospice of Western Reserve, December 10, 2018. Born to the late Bronislaw and Stanislawa Borszcz on January 21, 1942, on a war-torn farm near Siwice, Poland, John and his family survived two years as prisoners of war, confined in a work camp in Germany. While in this camp, his 18-month-old brother died to malnutrition. John, his sister and parents were liberated by American troops in 1945 and were sponsored by an uncle to come to Connecticut in March of 1947. In 1950, they moved to Maple Heights, where John lettered in football, baseball, and wrestled for Mike Milkovich. He was a high school wrestling state champion in 1960. He attended the University of Wyoming on a full wrestling scholarship, earning a BS degree in 1964 and a master’s degree in 1965. He also met and married Wyoming native, Sharon O’Melia, in 1967.

His local coaching career began in 1971 at CCC Western campus in Parma, when his team won the regional championship, and in 1976 they won the NJCAA national crown. He continued to finish in the nation’s top five, setting his team dual record of 176-13-1. He coached the United States’ Junior World Freestyle teams in Ecuador, was the Assistant Coach of the National Junior College during the Olympic Trials and Head Freestyle Coach, Team Leader and Chief of Mission for US Junior Pan American Wrestling, having four National Place Winning teams. He served as Vice President and President of the National Junior College Wrestling Coaches Association and was inducted to their Hall of Fame.

Most recently, on October 14, 2018, John was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Ohio Chapter at a ceremony in Dublin, Ohio. John lived by the following sentiment “Winning is important – but it is not the most important thing. Getting 100 percent of someone’s ability, whether it is a wrestler, student, friend or my own, is what really counts.”

John lived to workout, golf, and work in his yard every day. He loved watching and cheering for Ben, Sam, and Anna in their sports, listening to Mara play her flute so beautifully, and taking Teddy fishing. The family celebrated John and Sharon’s 50th anniversary in July 2017.

He will be deeply missed by wife, Sharon (nee O’Melia); son Matthew (Korinne); daughter Maridi (Keith) Gurtsak; sister, Diane (Paul) Sandor; sister-in-law, Marial (Ross) Bulmer; nephews, Ted (Eila) Chappell, Paul (Cathy) Sandor, Scott (Christine) Bulmer; niece Marial (Mike) Choma, and their families; long devoted friends Dale Saraniti, Gordie Schaub, Gene Sokol, and many wonderful golfing buddies.

John was preceded in death by an infant brother, Joseph, and his infant daughter, Sharon Marie.

Friends may join the family for John’s visitation on Saturday, December 15, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 3477 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment for John will follow at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Medina, OH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to Maple Heights Athletic Dept., ATTN: MIKE MAZURKAWICZ, 1 Mustang Way, Maple Heights, OH 44137.