Jan 24, 2021
YOUNGSTOWN John Andrew Sefcik Jr., lifelong resident of the city’s West Side, passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at the age of 94.
John was born Dec. 20, 1926, in Youngstown, the son of the late John and Ann Serenko Sefcik, and was a 1945 graduate of Chaney High School.
John worked as a tile and terrazzo layer for 40 years, retiring in 1992.
Throughout his junior high and high school years, John played numerous sports and graced the baseball diamonds as one of the gutsiest and talented catchers and outfielders of his time. His exploits on the diamond drew the attention of baseball scouts and he signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1945, reporting to its York, Pa., affiliate that spring. His professional career, however, was short-lived as he was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve during World War II.