Zeljko "Jay" Hustic

AUSTINTOWN - Zeljko “Jay” Hustic, 75, passed away Thursday afternoon, Dec. 20, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital after suddenly becoming ill at home.

Zeljko was born July 27, 1943, in Zagreb, Croatia, a son of the late Milan and Francesca Hustic, and came to the United States and Youngstown in November of 1982.

Jay attended school in Croatia to become an electrician, and served for two years in the Croatian army after graduation, where he worked in an electronics laboratory. After his time in the military, Jay went to Germany and was eventually hired by Philips Company. There, he worked in electronics production troubleshooting and continued his education and certification in the electronics field, taking many courses.

A non-English speaker when he came to America, Jay worked odd jobs for a year until he learned the language. He was then hired by American Paper Products as a plant electrician, where he was instrumental in making production improvements and helping the company grow and prosper. Six years later, he was offered a position with Astro Shapes, where he also made production improvements and earned many honors and awards for his work. In 1997, seeing opportunity for growth and challenge, Jay began work for Envelope 1 Inc. He helped manage the company’s relocation to a new plant, graduated from courses as a Certified Plant Engineer, and became Plant Manager/Safely Director for the company.

Mr. Hustic  was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Youngstown. Jay loved to cook, made great Croatian food, and he loved to have company over for dinners. Jay loved his family and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Irene Wesolowsky Hustic, whom he married May 5, 1990; two sons, Dennis Hustic of Croatia and Dean Hustic of Cleveland; and three grandchildren, Blake, Isabella, and Jilyan Hustic.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 26, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, where a prayer service will take place at 5 p.m.

Funeral services will begin Thursday, Dec. 27, at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home, and will continue at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., Youngstown.

Interment will follow the church services, and will be at the parish cemetery.

Memory Eternal!

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