Michael A. Hruska, 91, of New Castle died the night of Nov. 17, 2007, in Jameson Hospital.

A kind and generous man, Michael Andrew Hruska loved God, his family and life. He was the type of man, who once he touched your life, you loved him dearly. With his family gathered around him, God called Michael home.

Michael was born June 1, 1916, in Donora, Pa., to Martin and Anna Smetanka Hruska, immigrants from Austria-Hungary, now Slovakia. The family moved to New Castle’s South Side in 1919. After his father’s death, Michael began working at a young age to support his mother and three brothers.

Michael married the former Margaret T. Hudak on Thanksgiving Day in 1949. They were married for 58 years.

He was employed in the shipping department of Universal Rundle for 43 years and retired in 1978.

Michael was a lifelong member of the former St. Michael Church. He helped in the construction of the original St. Michael Church and donated countless hours to fundraising bake sales. From the time he was 16 years old, Michael was a member of the Holy Name Society and attended annual retreats to St. Fidelas Seminary. At one time, he was a member of the church choir, a committeeman participating in Sunday collections, a member of parish council and was an altar server until the age of 88. Until recently, he sang Slovak songs for special church occasions and was a bearer of the statue of the Blessed Mother during rosary marches.

He attended the Lawrence County Life Chain since its inception.

He was presented with an appreciation award by the Holy Name Society in recognition of many years of service. Michael also received an award for 50 years of consecutive voting in Lawrence County.

Michael was a member of the Slovak Club and the First Catholic Slovak Union of America (Jednota.) An avid sports fan throughout his life, he also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, horseshoes, bowling, bingo and cooking traditional Slovak dishes.

In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Ron Wagner of Oshkosh, Wis., and Michele M. and Jim Perrett of New Castle; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Judi Hruska of New Castle; a brother and sister-in-law, George and Geneva Hruska of Omaha, Neb.; four grandchildren, Scott Wagner and his wife, Tina; Eric Wagner, Michael C. Hruska and Chrishele Hruska; and two great-granddaughters, Alyssa and Abigail Wagner.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Andrew Hruska and Joseph Hruska.

Visitation is 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Noga Funeral Home, 1142 S. Mill St. A procession will leave the funeral home at 11 a.m. tomorrow for St. Camillus Church where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. The Rev. Philip Farrell of St. Camillus Church will officiate. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.