Thomas A. O'Brochta

Thomas A. O'Brochta, 91, of Prior Lake, Minn., and formerly of Jefferson, Pa., peacefully went to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at home. He was born December 21, 1920 in Century, Barbour County, W. Va., a son of the late Albert and Catherine (Staszel) O'Brochta. Mr. O'Brochta served as an aircraft mechanic and instructor with the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Following his military service he began work in the coal mines, retiring from Gateway Coal Company. Following retirement, Tom never let a blade of grass grow under his feet. Always active until the day of his passing, he enjoyed tinkering, running his fingers through the nuts and bolts at any hardware store or flea market he could find. A love Tom soon passed on to his grandson. For much of his life he was active in United Mine Workers of America serving several terms as a local officer. He and his wife, Betty, were also active in local politics, often volunteering in local and state campaigns. Tom was one of the founding members of the Filer-Sadlek American Legion Post 954 in Jefferson, Pa. He transferred his membership to the Brooks-Crago American Legion Post 816 in Rices Landing for the last 20 years of his life. He married the love of his life, Betty C. (Clark) O'Brochta, on December 10, 1951 in Winchester, Va. Sadly, Betty preceded him in death on October 4, 2007. Surviving are a daughter, Ruby O'Brochta-Woodward and her husband, Kelley, with whom he made his home in Prior Lake; a grandson who was the light of his life, Jesse Thomas Woodward of Ogden, Utah; a brother, Anthony T. O'Brochta of Mentor, Ohio; a sister, Lucy (Muncy) Rumancik of Albuquerque, New Mexico and numerous loved nieces and nephews and their children. Deceased are eight brothers, Peter, Frank, Paul, Michael, William, John, Andrew and Joseph O'Brochta and three sisters, Rose O'Brochta, who died in infancy, Helen Kurtyka and Julia Stassa. Tom will be fondly remembered by his family and numerous friends both in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. There will be no public viewing and all arrangements are private. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation or the American Heart Association.