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BOARDMAN – Robert R. "Bob" Sofranec, born Jan. 3, 1939, died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at his Boardman home.
He was a 1956 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and began his career in the sheet metal trade at AA Samuel’s the following year. From 1963 to 1966, he worked at McKay Machine, then moved to Packard Electric, where he retired in 2004 after 38 years.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Veronica (Panik), and his siblings, Mary Pavlina and her husband, George; Joseph and his wife, Janet; and Thomas and his wife, Jean. In 1960, he married Marguerita "Sis" (Zigoris), who died in 1995. In 1998, he married Monica "Jean" (Svagerko), who died in 2008.
He is survived by his daughters, Christine Heston and her husband, Mark; Diane and her husband, Michael Gallucci; and Barbara Rogers and her husband, Marty, as well as his grandson, Ennio Gallucci. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and stepchildren.
The family would like to thank Bob's neighbors, Tom and Kathy Mumaw, for their care and kindness.
A lifelong, devoted Catholic, he was a member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Youngstown. Bob was active in the church, serving as an usher and altar server, singing in the choir, and joining the Altar Rosary Society, Infant Jesus Society, Finance Committee, Parish Council Committee, and the Cy Me Club, for which he served as vice president. At Youngstown's Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, he volunteered as an Adorer of the Blessed Sacrament for 27 years, from 1993 to 2020.
He was a member of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota), and a past member of the St. George Croatian Center.
There wasn't a plant Bob couldn't grow or bring back to life. He loved to garden and grow plants and trees. He was a member of the Youngstown chapter of the American Rose Society.
Bob spent countless hours listening to polka music, particularly Slovenian-style. He loved to hear live polka music in the Youngstown area and was a booster for the Penn-Ohio Polka Pals.
A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by the Rev. John Rovnak, will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at St. Mary Magdalene Parish - St. Christine Church, Youngstown.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 5925 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44512. Burial will be in Poland Riverside Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Struthers radio station WKTL to help keep polka music alive. Checks may be made payable to Struthers City Schools, 99 Euclid Ave., Struthers, OH 44471; please include Bob's name and WKTL on the memo line.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home. To view the obituary and share condolences, visit Kubina-Yuhasz at www.kubinayuhaszfuneralhome.com.
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