Sylvia M. Vaschak

Sylvia Marie (Calcagni) Vaschak

Jan 12, 1930 - Dec 29, 2025

SANDUSKY… Sylvia Vaschak passed away peacefully on December 29, 2025, just short of her 96th birthday, with her family at her bedside.

She was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Silvio and Domenica (Tarli) Calcagni and attended Youngstown East High School. She married Joseph Vaschak in 1950, and they enjoyed 73 years of marriage in Campbell, Ohio, and later in Huron, Ohio. Together, they raised three sons.

During her time in Campbell, a city and community she loved, Sylvia was a homemaker, a competitive golfer and bowler, and a friend to many. She was an excellent cook of both Slovak and Italian dishes, many of which reflected her family’s roots in Ascoli Piceno, Italy. Her sons’ favorites were her kolachi, pagash (bayoush), cavatelli, wedding soup, breaded olives, and breaded steak.

Sylvia was small, mighty, and fiercely competitive, especially in golf, where she held a four handicap well into her eighties. 

She was a lifelong member of Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church (formerly St. John the Baptist) in Campbell, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Vaschak; her son, Michael Vaschak; two brothers, Julius (Jay) and Patrick Calcagni; and her sister, Theresa Pastore.

She is survived by two sons, Joseph (Diane) Vaschak of Westfield, Massachusetts, and Dr. Robert (Bridget) Vaschak of Sandusky, Ohio; and a daughter-in-law, Jennifer Vaschak of North Carolina. She also leaves six grandchildren: Jennifer (Brock) Currie of Springfield, Massachusetts; Michael (Dr. Courtney) Vaschak of Farmington, Connecticut; Rebecca (Ricki) Brideoake of Sapphire Beach, NSW, Australia; Megan (Andrew) Behnke of Sandusky, Ohio; Hallie (Tyler) Brooks of Spokane, Washington; and Jonathon Vaschak of Quantico, Virginia. In addition, she leaves six great-grandchildren: Ellie Vaschak; Charley and Sebastian Brideoake; and Edward, Thomas, and Leopold Behnke.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Providence Commons Assisted Living, Heartland Hospice, Sr. Laureen Painter, Fr. Jim Brown, and Fr. Gerry Ceranowski for their excellent physical and spiritual care.

 A Memorial Mass will be held at 10am on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church (formerly St. John the Baptist), 159 Reed Avenue, Campbell, Ohio. Everyone is asked to meet at the church at 9:45am. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Coitsville Township.

In accordance with Sylvia’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Funeral services are provided by Wasko Funeral Home, Campbell, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to Sylvia’s memory may do so to Christ the Good Shepherd Parish, mailing address: 397 South Jackson Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44506.

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