Stephen "Mickey" Burich

Stephen "Mickey" Burich, 78 CAMPBELL - Stephen "Mickey" Burich, 78, passed away on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 at Masternick Memorial in New Middletown from complications from dementia. Mickey was born Nov. 22, 1946 in Youngstown, a son of Andrew and Margaret (Blasko) Burich. He grew up in Campbell and was a 1964 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School. From there he served in the United States Army as a military policeman in 1966 and 1967 in Germany. In 1969 he started a 37-year career as a cable splicer for Ohio Bell, retiring in 2006. There he met the love of his life and many lifelong friends. After his marriage he resided in Struthers. Mickey's first love was baseball and he helped lead the Campbell Little League to the 1959 state championship. That team later lost to the eventual Little League World Series champion Hamtramck, Michigan which many Little League historians consider the best Little League World Series champion of all-time. In adulthood, he played softball on many area sandlots before transitioning to a coach for his sons in the Struthers Baseball League. In addition, he also helped out his friend Jim Fox as a girls softball coach and was a volunteer for the Ohio Bell Beeper Baseball in his later years. His involvement in athletics included helping out Byzantine Catholic Central school with basketball and fundraising activities. In addition, he was an ardent supporter of local athletics and cheered on the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Youngstown State University and Ohio State University. A member of St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church in Campbell, Mick belonged to the church's Civics Club. A social creature, Mick loved meeting new and old friends at area watering holes. He always looked forward to his yearly vacations to the Outer Banks and Florida with his friends and family. Mick loved being a family man and cherished being called dad and grandpa. He so enjoyed watching his grandchildren and took them on many outings. He was always ready for a party or get-together with extended family. Mick leaves his loving wife Elaine who he married on Sept. 17, 1976; sons Michael of Struthers and Darren (Rebecca) of Austintown along with two grandchildren Jayden and Easton who he loved very dearly. He also leaves behind a sister Elaine (Joe) Simione of Boardman; in-laws Jack and Marie Krompegel, Debra and Chris Rieddle and Anna and Mark Mrvelj along with many nieces and nephews. Besides his mother and father, he was preceded in death by a brother George and sister-in-law Diana Burich and in-laws John and Rose Krompegel. Friends and family may call from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday December 5, 2024 at the Wasko Funeral Home, 216 Coitsville Road, Campbell, Ohio. The Panachida Prayer Service will be held on Friday December 6, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wasko Funeral Home. A Funeral Divine Liturgy will follow at 11a.m. at St. Michaels Byzantine Catholic Church in Campbell, with the Very Rev. Fr. Kevin Marks officiating. The family would like to thank the staff at Masternick Memorial for their care and compassion for the last four months. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church in Campbell or to the charity of your choice. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen "Mickey" Burich, please visit our floral store.