Steve Toughie Gnatovich

Nicknamed “Toughie”, Steve graduated from West Tech High School in Cleveland and briefly attended Washington University in St. Louis, MO. He was a veteran of the US Air Force where he held the rank of Master Sergeant and served as an intelligence officer while stationed in Japan during the Korean War. Prior to the war, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates farm team and also starred as a regional semi-pro basketball player. He was a member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, North Canton and past president of the Ohio Contractors Association. He also held long standing memberships in the Free Masons, Shriner’s International, and Serbian National Federation where he was a champion and favorite at the SNF golf tournaments. He was a founding member of Glenmoor Country Club in Canton, OH and Imperial Golf Course in Naples, FL. Steve was an innovative entrepreneur serving as general manager of Tom Simich and Son, Inc. and as president and owner of Amser Corporation. Well understood among friends and family, Stevie G. never left a day unlived.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Pisarcik; and nephew, Steve Pisarcik. He is survived by his wife, Helen Gnatovich of Canton, OH; sister, Mary Masanovich of Punta Gorda, Florida; his sons and their spouses, Rock and Stana Gnatovich, of Lexington, MA, Gavrilo and Jackie Gnatovich, of Concord, MA, Michael Gnatovich of Richmond Heights, OH; grandchildren, Niki, Alex, Rose, Hallie, Sam and Steven; niece, Diane and nephew, Paul.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30AM on Wednesday, January 18th at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 4669 Applegrove St. NW, North Canton with Father Dragan Filipovic officiating followed by refreshments in the church hall. Friends may call prior to the service beginning at 10AM. Procession to the cemetery will begin at 12:30PM. Interment will be at St. Theodosius Orthodox Cemetery, 8200 Biddulph Road; Cleveland, OH (corner of Ridge and Biddulph) at 1:30PM followed immediately by a luncheon at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 6306 Broadview Road; Parma, OH 44134.

Friends may call Tuesday, 1-3PM and 6-8PM in the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home, 5000 Everhard Rd. NW, Canton, OH.

In lieu of flowers, Friends are asked to make donations to New Avenues to Independence (http://www.newavenues.net); 17608 Euclid Ave; Cleveland, OH 44112 Attn: Heidi Lamb.