|
|||
|
Mark Martin Bayuk was born on May 11, 1889 in Radovica, Slovenia, the son of Martin Bayuk and Anna Rezek Bayuk who were also born in Slovenia. They had six children: three sons--Martin (Eberhardt, a Franciscan missionary), Mark, and Louis; and three daughters--Mary, Anna and Barbara. Mark immigrated to the United States in October 1907 and settled originally in St. Mary's, Pa., where he worked in the coal mines. During the next 15 years he also worked in coal mines in Westmoreland, Armstrong, Somerset, and Jefferson counties in Pennsylvania. It was in Jefferson County that he met Mary Suzanne Rusnock, whom he married on February 21, 1914 in St. Anthony's Church, Conifer, Pa. Conifer is near Somerset, Pa. and is the location of the Quecreek Mine where, in late July 2002, nine miners were trapped for seventy-seven hours in a flooded coal mine. They were all rescued alive. Mary Suzanne Rusnock was born on January 7, 1898 in Austria, Hungary (now Slovakia), the oldest child of John Rusnock (born October 15, 1877 in Austria, Hungary, died September 19, 1936) and Mary Novotny Rusnock (born April 24, 1880 in Austria, Hungary, died April 6, 1932). John and Mary Novotny Rusnock were married on February 22, 1897 in Austria, Hungary. They had 13 children--six sons and seven daughters. Listed in birth order, they were: Mary, John, Anna, Julia, George, Frank, Joseph, Helen, Charles, Mildred and twins Eva (stillborn), and Emma (died in infancy). Mary made her first trip to the United States with her parents when she was only five weeks old. On February 19, 1898 her parents arrived in the United States and settled in West Virginia. After two years they sailed back to Europe and stayed with Mary's grandparents in Austria for about a year, and then returned to American when Mary was three. At the age of four Mary again went to Europe with her parents. They returned to America after six months. Finally, at the age of six, Mary made her last trip to Europe because her grandmother was ill. She and her parents stayed in Austria for nine months, until her grandmother recovered from her illness, and then returned to America. May was seven years old then, but she was unable to attend school because her mother became ill and she had to stay home to assist her. Mary started school at the age of eight and walked 4 1/2 miles to and from school. She attended school regularly until she reached the fourth grade. Then she had to quit and help at home. Mary had hoped to return to school, but times were difficult and she had to work as a maid, washing, ironing, cooking, and working in a diner. After their marriage, Mark and Mary Bayuk settled in Jerome, Pa. During their residence there four sons and a daughter were born and baptized at Holy Cross Church (John, Mark, Mary, Frank and Joseph). The family moved to Greenville on March 16, 1923 where eight more children were born and baptized at St. Michael Church (Anna Marie, Agnes, Dorothy, Rita, Louis (who died in infancy), Raymond, Paul and Frances). Mark was employed at the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company for 33 years. The Mark and Mary Bayuk family was honored as "Catholic Family of the Year" in the Erie Diocese on May 10, 1956 at St. Peter's Cathedral in Erie. They were presented with a large reproduction of C. Besseron Chambers' painting of "The Holy Family". Also, Archbishop Gannon presented them with a cash award of $100. Fr. John R. Keating, pastor of St. Michael's, and the Bayuk family were guests at dinner at the Lawrence Hotel following the ceremonies. Mark Martin Bayuk died October 23, 1957 at the age of 68 and Mary Suzanne Rusnock Bayuk died November 28, 1973 at the age of 75. Both are buried in St. Michael Cemetery, Greenville, Pa.
Web site contact: webmaster |
|||