In Loving Memory of Joe Humenik

Man of Steel

It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Joe Frank Humenik at the age of 96. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.  Joe passed away peacefully on February 25, 2025 surrounded by family.

Joe was born April 12, 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio. From a young age, he exhibited a strong work ethic and a dedication to his family.  As a boy he worked on Cleveland’s ice wagons and at a cheese stand at the Westside Market. While attending West Technical High School, he worked as a pattern maker at Ohio Tool.  As a young man, in 1946, he traveled to California joining his sisters, Mary and Anne, who worked for Shulton Company, where Joe became a successful salesman selling Old Spice to retailers.  Joe returned to Cleveland seeking a job as a pattern marker at Otis Steel (J&L/LTV); instead they offered him a job as a surveyor. Joe’s career as a Construction Engineer at the steel mill spanned 45 years. His expert contributions to the construction of blast furnaces, the 80-inch hot strip mill, pollution mitigation, and more greatly impacted the Cleveland Steel industry.

Joe was a life-long member of St. Wendelin Catholic Church, Cleveland, Ohio.  It was here he met his wife Mary Anne Dziak while attending a family baptism.  Joe fondly remembered the first time he saw Mary, saying it was love at first sight. They married in 1950 and enjoyed more than 50 wonderful years together.  Joe was also a long-time member of Sts. Phillip and James Parish in Cleveland, where he volunteered his construction skills to building projects and as a Boy Scouts of America scoutmaster for many years.

Joe was the proud father of seven children; Marilyn Humenik-Swayngim, Marianne Allen (Patrick), Joseph (Darlene), Michael, John (deceased), Annamarie Powers (Keith), and James (deceased).  He was blessed with 19 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, with a fifteenth due this May, each brought him immense joy and pride. Joe instilled values of faith, love, respect, and perseverance in his family, creating a legacy that will be cherished for generations to come.

Throughout his life, Joe worked hard, was kind and generous, and supported his family and loved ones with passion. He loved to build. In 1951 and newly married he built his first Sears Home.  Through the years he assisted in constructing many homes with family and sons, including the Humenik Funeral Chapel.  Joe enjoyed camping and travel, including 2 trips to his extended family in Slovakia.  He was uniquely known for solving complex problems, particularly in construction, having a passionate curiosity in his family ancestry, and in recent years taking long walks down Edgewater Drive and in Ohio National Parks to reach his goal of 5,500 steps a day on his fitbit – regardless of weather.

Joe touched the lives of many and will be remembered for his honest humor and being a source of persistence and inspiration. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.  We believe he is having an amazing heavenly reunion with the family who have gone before him.

The Humenik family will receive friends and loved ones at Humenik Funeral Chapel, 14200 Snow Rd. Brook Park, Ohio, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Wendelin Catholic Church, 2281 Columbus Rd., Cleveland, Ohio, 44113.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to St. Vincent DePaul Society at www.ssvpusa.org and local Meals on Wheels at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

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