Honorable Judge Robert J. Kalafut
The Honorable Judge Robert J. Kalafut passed away the evening of Friday, January 14, 2005 in Abilene,TX.
He was born in Youngstown, Ohio on April 14, 1929.
He was graduated from Youngstown College in 1951 and the Case Western Reserve Law School in Ohio in 1954. He was an associate editor of the Case Western Reserve Law Review.
From 1954 to 1956, he served in the United States Army in Germany where he met the former Maria Kast. They were married on May 12, 1956 in Bamberg, Germany.
He was the first municipal judge for Struthers, Ohio.
Elected to the bench in 1964, he remained undefeated in elections until his retirement in 1993. He was the recipient of over a dozen awards from the Ohio Supreme Court for superior and outstanding judicial service, and was named "Outstanding Citizen of the Year" in 1980 and 1982. In 1981 he was elected president of the Mahoning County Bar Association. He was voted "Lawyer of the Year" as both lawyer and judge in 1985.
He was president and board member of Eastern Mahoning County Mental Health Center in Ohio.
Retiring to Abilene, Texas in November 1996 to be with family
He was known for generously providing assistance and leadership with good humor and a smile. He was an accomplished accordionist readily entertaining family and friends as well as having performed professionally.
He was the beloved husband of Maria, and beloved father to daughters, Dr. Roberta Kalafut and husband, Dr. Edward Brandecker, and Rebecca Johnson and husband, Frank Johnson, and grandson, Robert Johnson.
He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Barbara Ann Kalafut, and parents, Helen and Joseph Kalafut.
Survivors also include a sister, Joann Butch of California and his brother, Attorney George Kalafut of Ohio.
The family will receive friends at a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service, on Monday , January 17, 2005, at the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South.
A celebration of his life liturgy mass will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at Holy Family Catholic Church at 11 a.m. .
Interment will be in the Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories.
Memorial may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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BOARDMAN - Atty. George E. Kalafut, 79, died Thursday April 16, 2015, with his family by his side.
George was born April 21, 1935, in Campbell, Ohio, son of late Joseph and Helen (Wukovich) Kalafut.
George was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Youngstown College, with his Bachelor’s Degree, and the University of Akron School of Law, with his Juris Doctorate Degree. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, having the rank of specialist third class.
While in law school, George worked as the clerk of courts in Struthers, Ohio.
After becoming an attorney, George was asked to start and run the Public Defenders Office in both Mahoning and Trumbull County.
After George retired from the Trumbull County Public Defenders Office, he had his own private practice.
He loved to play the trumpet along with his brother, who played the accordion.
They entertained at various functions, including many legal gatherings.
He enjoyed playing golf and traveling to Lake Erie with his friends, and was a champion jitterbugger, winning every contest he entered except one, where he got second place.
He enjoyed sports, especially watching his children and grandchildren.
He especially loved making people laugh.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra (Buccilli) Kalafut; his children, George (Gloria) Kalafut of Poland, Ohio, Kristopher Kalafut, Traci (Eric Huffman) Kalafut, and Georgia McKee, all of Boardman, OH; a sister, JoAnn Butch of California; grandchildren Sabrina Donnadio, Danielle Moore, George Kalafut, Krystle Kalafut, Rachel Kalafut, Leanna McKee, and Allison McKee; and great-grandchildren Kaylin Donnadio, Haley Donnadio and Michele Moore.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie (Lancien) Kalafut; two daughters, Michele Hartzell and Suzanne Holby; a grandson, John Holby; and his brother, the honorable Judge Robert Kalafut.
Visitation will be Friday, April 24, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Kirila Funeral Home Inc., 258 Poland Ave. in Struthers, Ohio.
George was a very humble person, a great father, and very well-respected by his colleagues.
He will be sadly missed.-
Memorial donations to any local charity.
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