Mitchell Dobrich
January 21, 1934 — September 11, 2011
Mitchell Dobrich
Age 77, passed away on
Sept. 11, 2011
at Meadowcrest Nursing Home in Library due to complications of dementia. He was born
Jan 21, 1934
, the youngest of 10 children to Anna and George Dobrich. Mitchell grew up in West Elizabeth, moved to the Finleyville area and in 1978 got a job on the Alaskan pipeline and continued to live in
Alaska
for the next 20 years. After leaving the pipeline, he opened his own restaurant in
Soldotna
,
Alaska
; then branched out to owning numerous snack bars and a gift shop at the
Kenai
Airport
. After retirement he moved back to the family home in
West Elizabeth
. He was a lifetime member of the
West Elizabeth
Fire Department where he loved to set up bingos to help raise money. He also loved attending the local bingos and going to the casino. He held many positions in the local community throughout his life. He had a passion for travel and traveled around the world. Some of his favorite places were
St. Petersburg
,
Russia
;
Rome
,
Italy
and the
Caribbean
. But he was most known for being the best looking Santa Claus. With his natural beard and sparkling personality anyone that met him while he was Santa never forgot that experience; and while traveling on cruise ships, everyone wanted pictures taken with Santa. He had a passion for meeting new people, especially for making children smile.
Mitch’s family was most important to him and he loved to set up picnics to reunite the family when he flew home from
Alaska
. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Marcia and 8 of his siblings. He is survived by 3 children, Michelle Dobrich Solties, Michael and Mark Dobrich; 5 grandchildren, James, Tess, Stephanie, Michael Nicholas and Tommy; 2 Great Grandchildren, Rayvn and Kadenz; 1 brother, Nick Dobrich and his longtime friend, Debbie Forte.
A funeral service will be held for him at 1 PM in the Chapel at Round Hill Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 17
th
. Arrangements by Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home, Jefferson Hills
He will be greatly missed by all.