Milan “Mitch” Zec

Milan “Mitch” Zec, age 91, fell asleep in the Lord peacefully with his daughter by his side at the Ohio Veterans Home on August 1, 2023. He is survived by his daughter Suzanne ("Suzi"); granddaughters Lydia, Kandice, Rosetta, Barbara, and Andrea; 12 great-grandchilden, 1 great-great-grandson, and his former wife of 24 years, Nancy (nee Christ) who assisted in his care before he moved to the Ohio Veterans Home. He was preceded in death by his parents +Marko and +Danica (nee Mijic), sister +Dolores "Seka" Oluich (husband +Danny), and daughter +Debra.

Mitch was well known in the Serbian community throughout the country for his beautiful tenor voice, his devotion to his church and Serbian heritage and, of course, his barbecue machines. He was an accomplished mechanical engineer, one of the lucky people who found a career that he loved and excelled in. Following his retirement, he served as a translator in the former Yugoslavia after the Balkan Wars and later in his local community in the greater Phoenix area.

Mitch was something of a gypsy, moving and living around the country. His daughter remembers teasing him about the timing of some of his moves, as he tended to move back to Cleveland in the winter, and to warmer climates during the heat of the summer.

He was a very loving and generous man, with a great sense of humor. His greatest joys were his family, his Serbian heritage, and his Orthodox faith. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him and called him friend.

U.S. Army Veteran, Korean War.

Family will receive friends at the Mallchok Funeral Home, 5660 Ridge Road, Parma, OH on Sunday, August 6, 2023 from 3 - 7 p.m. with Pomen at 6 p.m.

All Funeral Services Monday, August 7, 2023 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 6306 Broadview Road, Parma, OH at 12 noon with visitation at the cathedral from 11:30 a.m. – 12 noon.

Interment will follow at St. Theodosius Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Wounded Warriors, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.

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