Nick Vasil

Nicholas G. Vasil, 75, of Bucyrus died Monday night, April 23, 2018 at his home after being hospitalized and diagnosed with esophageal cancer.



He was born October 2, 1942 in Cleveland to the late Nicholas and Helen (Wozniak) Vasil. They teased that they couldn’t afford middle names, however Nick was given George. The Vasil family moved to Bucyrus in the late 40s where his parents owned and operated the Kaynee Sewing Factory, making dresses and garments. Nick played drums in the band and was a tackle on the football team at Bucyrus High School, graduating in 1960. He then went to Bowling Green where he was active in the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and nicknamed “Poost” after the Kapusta he enjoyed cooking. After college, he moved to New Jersey where he worked in the garment industry and started a family. Nick returned to Bucyrus in 1975 to work with his father and he married Margaret “Peg” Croneis on April 22, 1978.



When Nick was around, everyone knew it. He will be remembered for his vibrant personality and being a friend to all, helping many people and groups in need. He was proud of his ancestry and enjoyed, lived, and cooked his Polish heritage. He loved to grill and entertain and share bourbon and cigars with his buddies. He also looked forward to his two golf trips every year and cherished the summer trips to Canada with his children when they were growing up. Nick was blessed to travel as well, including the Caribbean, fishing trips, visiting close friends in England, and enjoying his place at Lake Erie.



At home, Nick was a proud Rotarian. A Paul Harris Fellow, he served as Sergeant at Arms in the Bucyrus Rotary Club, levying fines for whatever he saw fit at club meetings. In fact, as his final fine, every Rotarian whose eyes read this obituary owes $5 at their next meeting (Gotcha!).



He was raised in the Catholic faith and attended church with Peg on Easter Sunday at Old Paths Baptist Church. He was a model train enthusiast, laying thousands of feet of track and building custom buildings for he and his train buddies. He socialized over breakfast at the Crazy Fox and Bucyrus Diner, and was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion and the AHPC (Poker Club).



Nick is survived by his wife of 40 years, Peg Vasil; daughter, Kimberly (Dale) Cheney of Savannah, Georgia; son, Nicholas “Skip” (Jennifer) Vasil and their son, Finn Lewis of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; stepson, Mathew (Serena) Mollenkopf and daughter Gretchen of Anchorage, Alaska; brother, Robert Vasil; sister, Kathleen (Charles) Kirchberg; niece, Jaime (Nathan) Winkelfoos; nephews, PJ Fleck, Casey (Lindsey) Kirchberg, and Michael Vasil; and his beloved cousins in the Cleveland-Akron area.



The Vasil family will receive friends at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus on Sunday, April 29 from 4-7 pm with a Catholic Prayer Service at 7:00. On Monday, friends may call from 2-3:30 pm at the funeral home. Memories will be shared from 3:30 until the funeral begins at 4:00 with Pastor Dan Dornbirer officiating. A private burial will be held Tuesday in Oakwood Cemetery.



Donations are encouraged to be made payable to Bucyrus Rotary Club, Bucyrus Preservation Society (for the Train Depot), or the Bucyrus Mausoleum Association and given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on Nick’s Tribute Wall.