Eugene (Gene) Joseph Zreliak Sr. of Masury, passed away at 9:10 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 in his residence surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with multiple myeloma and diabetes. He was 80 years old.

Mr. Zreliak was born in Hazleton, PA on February 17, 1935, the third son of seven children, to the late Andrew Sr. and Susan Mihalcin Zreliak.

As a young child his family moved to the Patagonia area of Hermitage and then to South Pymatuning Township, where he attended elementary school in a one-room school, Lone Star.  As a teen, Gene's nickname was "Baker" and he worked many part-time jobs.

He was a 1953 graduate of Sharpsville High School. Following high school, Eugene matriculated to Youngstown University.

Eugene began his career as a machinist at the former transformer division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He retired in 1992 from the former Packard as a Foreman in the Tool and Die Division.

Gene was a caring and sensitive guy who enjoyed the Zreliak family reunions, dressing in costumes such as Uncle Sam, a Hillbilly, and German beermeister.

He enjoyed boating and fishing on Lake Erie, hunting at his Pennsylvania camp, playing his banjo, gardening, especially growing his garlic, attending Hershey car shows and NASCAR races, cutting his grass, driving his tractor, feeding and watching the wild turkey and deer that would gather in his back yard. Many times you would find him tinkering on his old cars or tractors.  He collected Wendell August items and shared them as gifts to his family.

He was a member of St. Joseph's Church.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Stahl Zreliak, whom he married October 23, 1954; a daughter, Marilyn Anne Zreliak of Masury; 2 sons, Eugene J. (Sharon) Zreliak Jr. of Hartford, Keith W. (Della) Zreliak of Brookfield; 3 sisters, Mary Ellen Suhar of Kinsman, OH, Elizabeth (Gary) Ealy of Sharpsville, PA, Suzanna (K. Ross) Vernon of Mercer; 2 brothers, Andrew G. (Lillian) Zreliak of Sharpsville and Jerome "Jerry" (Marie) Zreliak of Hermitage; 1 grandchild, Adrianne (Joe) Coleman, Brookfield, OH; 3 great grandchildren, Bradyn, Blake, and Aubrie; a special cousin, Susan Harvilla of Drums, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to his loyal neighbors Drew and Renee Bartosh, who were always there to help.

In addition to his parents, Eugene was preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen Lucik Venetta, mother and father-in-law Fred W. and Mary Stahl; brother-in-laws, Andrew Suhar, James Lucik, and Henry Venetta;

Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of the Valley 5190 Market St. Youngstown, OH 44512, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation 383 Main Ave. 5th Floor Norwalk, CT 06851 and St. Joseph's Church 79 Case Ave. Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hours will be on Monday, December 28, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon, PA 16146.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 29, 2015 in St. Joseph Church with Rev. Thomas J. Whitman.

Interment will take place in Americas Cemetery.