VĚSTNÍK
Monday, May 10, 2021
In Memoriam In Memory of Mary Hosek Mary Emilie Mikeska Hosek passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021, of natural causes at the age of 104 at the home of her daughter in California. Funeral service and burial were held at Brookside Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, March 18. Mary was born September 7, 1916, Mary Hosek in Seaton, Texas, to Anton and Mary (Chaloupka) Mikeska. She had two sisters, Anne Mikeska Hamusek and Ella Mikeska Hartwig. After graduation from Temple High School in 1934, her family moved to Houston for better work opportunities during the depression. She attended Massey Business College in Houston and worked in secretarial positions at an insurance company and then, for many years, at the Federal Land Bank. In 1950, she married Elvin Thomas Hosek. Their families both lived in the Houston Heights and participated in numerous Lodge 88, Houston activities. As a young man, her father Anton Mikeska was past president of Lodge 47, Seaton and Elvin’s father Tom Hosek was president of Lodge 88, Houston several times. His family also participated in the Hlahol Dramatic Club productions over many years. Elvin, his father Tom, and several of his sisters operated Hosek Food Market in the Heights over several years. After marrying Elvin, Mary assisted her husband in operating the business during the 1950s and early 1960s. Elvin was killed in a car accident in 1965. Mary and Elvin had two children, Nancy Lynn in 1951 and David Thomas in 1957. Both children attended Love Elementary School in Houston, and Mary was very invested in school activities. She was a room mother for each of the children and participated in PTA activities at the school. Mary was always very involved in her children’s lives and extracurricular activities.
In the late 1960s, Mary went to work at Joske’s Department Store and was employed there until her retirement at age 70. She was very active in her church and routinely assisted many people who were elderly and had no family to help them. She instilled a strong work ethic in her children and principles of service to others over convenience to self. After health problems in the late 1990s, Mary alternated living with each of her children. During the past 10 years or so, she has lived in California with her daughter. Although she had significant physical challenges toward the end, she loved traveling and enjoyed many wonderful road trips with her children. She loved the California coast and had many pleasurable vacations with beautiful scenery, including the majestic redwoods in northern California and camping in the Grand Canyon into her mid-90s. Mary was a member of SPJST Lodge 88, Houston. She was predeceased by her parents; both of her sisters and their spouses; and niece Carolyn Elsik Burr of Manchester, Missouri. She is survived by daughter Nancy Lynn Hosek of Loma Linda, California; son David Thomas Hosek and wife Valerie of Houston; niece Carole Hamusek Lindner and family of Glendale, California; nephew Dr. Ronald C. Hartwig and family of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and niece Denise Jamail Jamieson and family of The Woodlands, Texas. —SPJST—
In Memory of Rome Milan Rome Milan passed away Friday, April 23, 2021, after a three-year battle with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His gymnastics-filled life began as a young gymnast competing for Sokol Fort Worth, then Euless Trinity High School, followed by being the captain of the gymnastics team at his beloved University of Texas in Austin. After graduating, he started his Rome Milan high school coaching career at Weatherford High School then Boswell High School. During those years, his teams qualified for the state championship 14 out of 18 years. After a break from coaching, he returned to finish his coaching career for the Birdville School District until his diagnosis with ALS. In addition to competing and coaching, Rome was also an international gymnastics judge and held numerous positions at state, national, and international competitions including the Pan American Games, Goodwill Games, World Championships, and Olympic Games. He served on the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors and Advisory Council, the Gymnastics Association of Texas Board, and the Texas High School Hall of Fame Committee. As an avid gymnastic historian, he curated a vast collection of vintage memorabilia which he loved to share and display. He was a lifetime member of Sokol Fort Worth and SPJST Lodge 154, Fort Worth. He filled many positions including serving as American Sokol Southern District Director of Men and on the National Board of Instructors. While attending the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, with his parents and brother, the Olympic flame ignited his lifelong love of gymnastics and all things Olympics. He attended a total of 12 Summer Olympic Games and had the honor of running a segment in the Olympic Torch Relay in Rome, Italy, before the 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games. Of his many collections, his Olympic torch and pin collection were some of his favorites. Rome was a pin trader extraordinaire and
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was known internationally for his collection. While attending the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, he was recognized often while proudly wearing patriotic shirts and waving a large American flag at events. He had a knack for being in the perfect spot to show up on camera during television coverage. His many TV sightings prompted NBC to challenge viewers to “find this man every day” on one of its Olympic broadcasts. Rome was an established impressionist artist whose artwork was represented in several art galleries across the country. Many knew him as the artist that would paint in the window at Milan Gallery in Sundance Square, always wearing one of his many crazy hats and listening to The Beatles. A surprise performance was held in Rome’s honor on Sunday, April 18 at Sokol Fort Worth by a group of former gymnasts, friends, and family members. A special routine was choreographed for him with songs from The Beatles. He watched the routine and saw many friends and family who were there to show their support. Rome was preceded in death by infant daughter Matisse Milan. He is survived by wife Pauline; children Paris, Sydney, and Athens; stepson Matthew David and Caity Gregory; parents Jerry and Henrietta Milan; brother and travel companion Tal and wife Lesli; and special Czech sister Vera Janeba. Rome leaves behind a huge family of “favorite” cousins. Rome was truly one-of-a-kind. His infectious enthusiasm touched the lives of so many people in ways far greater than gymnastics or painting. Many, many will feel his loss. Remember Rome – A Tribute to Rome Milan will be held on Sunday, May 16 at 4 p.m. at Sokol Fort Worth. If you would like to honor Rome with a memorial donation, please consider Sokol Fort Worth Centennial Foundation, c/o 6500 Boat Club Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76179; or IamALS.org. —SPJST—
