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Akron attorney and Air Force colonel remembered
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: July 25, 2019
Colonel Edward P. Mazak Jr. enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force before deciding to devote his efforts to the law. But once he made the switch, colleagues say Mazak quickly became known as a zealous advocate for his clients, whose ethics and conduct were above reproach.
Solo practitioner Don Hicks described Mazak as a “fair, honorable” lawyer, who was not afraid to compromise when “it was the right thing to do.”
On May 24 the longtime Akron attorney passed away peacefully at the age of 90 at Ohio Living Rockynol with his wife Marcia at his bedside.
“My father was a very principled man, who was dedicated to his family,” said his son Mark Mazak, a principal at the healthcare strategy and business consulting firm Insightful Solutions. “He was always there for us when we needed support. He had a great spirit and was very upbeat and humorous.
“He enjoyed helping people, which is what motivated him to become a lawyer. He was not a big corporate lawyer who collected large fees, his satisfaction came from providing honest advice to his clients.”
Born in Akron on July 2, 1928 to Edward P. and Julia Mazak, he was the eldest of their two sons.
After graduating from Buchtel High School in 1946, Mazak obtained a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from The University of Akron.
It was during his time as an undergraduate that he met his wife Marcia. They married in 1951 and had two children.
Shortly after he got his bachelor’s degree, Mazak received a regular commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He completed a number of tours during his career, including at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia Army Bases in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the Pentagon. Mazak’s final assignment was as commandant of The University of Akron Air Force ROTC program.
During his time in the military, Mazak received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and an MBA from The George Washington University.
Mazak retired from the Air Force in 1978 as a colonel. He then enrolled at The University of Akron School of Law, receiving his juris doctorate in 1981.
Brouse McDowell partner Irv Sugerman first met Mazak when they were in law school.
“Ed was older than most of the class and we often referred to him as Colonel Mazak,” said Sugerman. “His real-world experience brought a different perspective to the class.”
Although they did not have much interaction as legal colleagues, Sugerman said the two later served together on the Bath Township Board of Zoning Appeals.
“Ed was a great guy,” said Sugerman. “He was a consummate gentleman and professional. We dealt with some contentious issues on the zoning board and Ed always remained calm and reasonable while we tried to find solutions to some difficult problems.
“Ed had a dry sense of humor and a lot of times he didn’t say much, but when he did, he was very funny.”
Mazak practiced with attorney Dean Smith at Smith & Mazak Co., located in Akron’s Highland Square.
Libby Young worked as a legal assistant at the firm for 19 years.
“Ed primarily handled domestic relations work and business matters,” said Young. “He did a lot of work for the FirstEnergy Credit Union and the Akron Firefighters Credit Union. Dean did most of the probate and estate planning work.
“Ed was a gentle giant and a true gentleman,” said Young, who is now a legal assistant for attorney John Rasnick. “A lot of us called him colonel. He was extremely dedicated to his clients and very nice to work with.
“He liked writing poems,” she said. “When we did gift exchanges at Christmas if Ed got my name he would always write a poem to go along with the gift. He had an amazing talent for rhyming words.
“Ed would often bring his dog Bailey to the office to visit us,” said Young. “He was a bit of a health nut and he loved to cook. He gave me a lot of recipes.”
Hicks, who focuses on criminal defense and business matters, said he and Mazak were on opposite sides of several collection cases.
“I represented a debtor and Ed represented a creditor, often a corporate client like Ohio Edison or Ohio Bell,” said Hicks.
“He was always mannerly and soft-spoken,” said Hicks. “Ed had spent many years in the Air Force before becoming a lawyer. To me, it seemed that he transferred his military experience to the practice of law, as he was punctual and well prepared.
“And while he was a fellow of much life experience and intellect, he always maintained a common touch,” said Hicks. “He shared his life with all who knew him, and he will be missed.”
Mazak retired in 2008, but his son said he continued to stay active.
A longtime resident of Bath Township, Mazak sat on the Bath Township Board of Zoning Appeals for many years, including serving as its chair.
“Dad found it very fulfilling to serve on the board,” said Mark. “He was as committed to serving the community in which he lived as he was to his clients.”
An avid golfer, Mazak was a 30-year member of the Rawiga Golf & Swim Club in Seville, where he was president during the 1990s.
“My mom’s dad introduced him to golf in the 1950s,” said Mark. “He was very good. He introduced me to the game, but it never quite stuck.”
Christopher Brown, a retired Medina County attorney, played golf with Mazak for years.
“I joined the golf club in the 1980s,” said Brown. “We became golfing buddies. Whenever I had a case in Akron I always stopped by his office.
“Ed continued practicing several years after I retired and I think he did so because he really enjoyed it,” Brown said. “Ed was a very honest and forthright person and a good friend. He would send me poems on my birthday.”
Mark said his father loved music, especially jazz and bluegrass. “I thought of my dad as one of the first rap stars. He could recite the lyrics from ‘Ya Got Trouble’ in ‘The Music Man’ rhythmically. It was amazing.”
Mazak also enjoyed cooking and carving figurines, many of which remain family treasures.
Over the years, Mazak and his wife Marcia travelled extensively, taking numerous trips to Europe and the Caribbean as well as an extensive visit to China and Southeast Asia.
“Ede was a very bright guy, with a great sense of humor,” said Brown. “He will be missed.”
A memorial service paying tribute to Mazak’s life was held on June 8 at the Hummel Funeral Home in Copley. His ashes were placed in a cremation niche at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on July 2, which would have been Mazak’s 91st birthday.
Mazak is survived by his wife Marcia, son Mark (Mahnaz), granddaughters Suzanne and Julia (Mark) and great-granddaughter Eloise.
His daughter Sara, brother James, parents and his loyal canine companion Bailey all preceded him in death.