TRAVELERS REST, SC – Mitchell J. Ogulewicz, Sr., 90, formerly of the East Springfield section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, July 14, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. Mitch was born at home in Mount Tom Junction, Massachusetts on September 17, 1925, a beloved son of the late Alexander and Amelia (Dubilo) Ogulewicz. He was raised in Mount Tom and attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and Easthampton High School. In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country during World War II, attaining the rank of Private. On September 22, 1945, he married his sweetheart, Edna M. Elisee, at Saint Theresa of Lisieux Church in South Hadley. Shortly before Edna's passing on September 25, 2014, they celebrated 69 years of marriage. For over 20 years, Mitch lived on Cleveland Street in the Hungry Hill Neighborhood of Springfield before moving to East Springfield where he lived for over 40 years. He was employed for over 40 years and worked at the former Springfield Photo Mount, John Byrnes Photo Mount and New England Photo Mount. Upon his retirement, Mitch managed Leo's Cafe in Chicopee for a number of years. He was a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed watching along with Edna the games on television. He also led a group of men for many years to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium to watch the intense rivalry between the two teams. Active in his Catholic faith, Mitch was a longtime communicant of the former Saint Mary's Church in East Springfield, now Mary, Mother of Hope Church. Mitch was a member of the St. Mary's Men’s Club and volunteered for many years at the St. Mary Bingo Nights, Church Bazaars and Suppers. Mitch spent over 30 years coaching baseball, basketball and soccer for St. Mary's and the East Springfield Athletic Association. As St. Mary’s Athletic Director, Mitch had a lot to do with the growth and development of junior soccer and girls’ softball in Greater Springfield. In 1960, Mitch's team went undefeated and won the Daily News Sandlot Pee Wee Championship. The Daily News treated the team to a baseball game at Fenway Park and Mitch was able to meet his baseball idol, Ted Williams. When Mitch decided to step aside from coaching, an army of friends and former players gave him a surprise testimonial dinner. Retirement from coaching was short-lived before Mitch's good friend, the late Romeo Cry, came to him and told him he couldn't quit and that he wanted Mitch to be the Commissioner for the 12-14 Sandlot League. As Mitch later said, “No one could say no to Romeo”. Mitch then took on the Commissioner’s responsibilities for the 12-14 Daily News Sandlot League for a number of years. Mitch leaves his loving son and daughter-in-law, former Springfield City Councilor Mitchell J. Ogulewicz, Jr. and his wife, Cynthia, of Travelers Rest, SC; his cherished grandchildren, Michelle LaPatin and her husband, Adam, Kristen Falcone and her husband, Daniel, and Joshua Ogulewicz and his wife, Shannon; his nine greatly loved great-grandchildren, Stephen Bognar, Dylan Bognar, Ashley LaPatin, Cameron LaPatin, Payton Falcone, Jack Thomas Ogulewicz, Kacie Pitts, Jenna Pitts and Tia Nehmer. Mitch also leaves his dearly loved brother, Charles Ogulewicz and his wife, Frances, of Easthampton and his sister, Theresa Dubovic of Chicopee; as well as many dear nephews, nieces, cousins and extended members of the Ogulewicz and Elisee families. Besides his parents and wife, Mitch was also predeceased by his loving brothers and sisters, Wallace, Stanley, Chester, Walter, Sophie and Stacia. His funeral will be held on Friday morning, July 22, 2016 beginning at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His family will receive friends at 9 a.m. at the Church before a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. His burial will follow the Mass with United States Marine Corps Military Honors at Saint Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Cemetery, 34 Mayher Street, Easthampton, MA 01027. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. For more details, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com