Donald Eugene Szostak

Donald Eugene Szostak, age 78, of Fort Mill, SC, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2017 from heart failure surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born in Canton, Ohio on January 20, 1939 to Michael Szostak and Genevieve (Leszczynski) Szostak. He married his college sweetheart, Carole Szostak, in 1967 and was a loving and dedicated husband and father of three daughters. He once said that life has taught him "that your family is the most important aspect of your life".
He graduated from Canton Lincoln High School in 1957 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Malone College. He also completed a Master of Arts degree at the University of Akron and extensive additional graduate courses beyond the Master Degree at the University of Akron and Ashland College. As an athlete, he ran track in high school and played basketball and tennis in college. He began his teaching career in 1963 as an English teacher, guidance counselor, and basketball coach in the Osnaburg Local School System and was liked so well that two graduating classes dedicated their yearbooks to him. He served as assistant principal for five years and then principal for ten years at East Canton High School. He was ultimately named the Superintendent of the Portage County School District in Ohio in 1988 where he served for twelve years, after serving as the district's administrative assistant. He was active in numerous professional organizations, including service on the Legislative Committee of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and as area coordinator for the North Central Accrediting Association. He was genuine, direct, and dedicated and desired work that benefits people.
He was devoted to his faith and enjoyed volunteering at All Saints Catholic Church in Canton, Ohio as an altar server, lector, usher, and Eucharistic Minister. He also was President of the Parish Council and President of the Finance Committee at All Saints for more than 20 years. He enjoyed celebrating his Polish American heritage with others from All Saints and was a member of the Polish American Citizens Club. After moving to Fort Mill, SC after retirement, he was an active parishioner of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Fort Mill, SC where he was a member of the Men's group and Wise Owls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Genevieve (Leszczynski) Szostak, and his sister Dorothy Ann Szostak, all of Canton, Ohio.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carole Szostak, and his sister, Dolores (and husband, Richard) Watson of Laupahoehoe, Hawaii. He is also survived by his three daughters, Valerie Zerbe and husband, Robert; Jennifer Hudson and husband, Chris; and Christine Szostak; and four grandchildren, Brittany Zerbe, Brooke Zerbe, Jayden Hudson, and Luke Hudson.
A funeral mass will be held Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 4:30PM, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road, Fort Mill, SC 29708. Inurnment will immediately follow the mass at the Parish columbarium. A receiving of family and friends will be held in the St. Philip Neri Parish Center following the inurnment.
Memorial donations may be made in his honor to St. Philip Neri Catholic Church for their educational fund, 292 Munn Road, Fort Mill, SC 29708.

On-line condolences to the family may be made at www.palmettofh.com

The family is being served by Palmetto Funeral Home and Crematory of Fort Mill, SC.

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