Edwin P. Mucha – Traverse City, Mich., formerly of Donora
Edwin Paul Mucha, 83, of Traverse City, formerly of Donora, passed away Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at Munson Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Ed was born Sept. 5, 1936, in Donora, Pa., the son of Stanley and Hanora Nosalik Mucha. On Oct. 29, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church of Lake Leelanau, he married the love of his life, Betty Jean Couturier Mucha, who preceded him in death June 28, 2017. Ed graduated from Monongahela High School, Class of 1954. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1958, seeing service in Empire, Mich., and Kirkland Lake Ontario, Canada. Ed and Betty met at the Coliseum Roller Rink in Traverse City during the days of wooden roller wheels on a hardwood floor. Ed and Betty traveled abroad and spent their winter months in Florida. After his service, Ed lived in Traverse City for more than 60 years. He spent decades working at Cone Drive of Traverse City from 1962 until his retirement in 1998. He was a master machinist in the tool and die field; a doer, a maker, a builder. Ed was asked by local educators to mentor students at Traverse Bay Area – Career Tech Center. The students loved Mr. Mucha so much that they made buttons with his face on them and wore them to school. Ed kept in touch with his Air Force buddies and would reunite with them during Empire Anchor Days parade. He loved the beach and a suntan. He loved his 1964 ½ Mustang; Ed called it his “Honey Car.” A recent highlight of Ed’s life was his Mustang being displayed at the Hagerty Center and an article in the newspaper about his Honey Car. He was a man whose character was built on faith, family and a deep love for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ed is survived by his two children, Franklin (Sari) Mucha and Janet (Bob) Maine; a sister, Barbara (Frank) Gigliotti; his nephews, David (Janelle) Gigliotti and Andrew Gigliotti; his grandchildren, Liza (Drew) Simpson, Lindsey (Clayton) Moe, Landen Mucha, Nicholas (Rose) Bostic, Lauren Bostic, Ryan (Maria) Bostic, Abigail (Harmony) Maine, Libby Maine, Matthew Maine and Frannie Maine; an honorary grandson, Maxwell Cleveland; his great-grandchildren, Andrew, Olivia, Ava, Lillian, Savannah, Cecilia, Elizabeth, Thomas, Alex, Charlie, Samuel Andrew, Jonah and Baby Moe and Baby Bostic. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; a daughter and son-in-law, Terri (Thomas) Bostic; and a nephew, Frank Gigliotti. Private family services have been held; burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lake Leelanau. A celebration of Ed’s life will be announced in the summer of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, 4623 Wesley Ave., Ste. A., Cincinnati, OH 45212 or at www.dsagc.com. Please share condolences with Ed’s family at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with MARTINSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES of Leelanau, Mich.
