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MAYZEL ARMAND JAMES Armand James Mayzel, 80, of Woodbridge, VA, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his loving children and grandson, Aaron, on January 31, 2019, at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center. Armand was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Mayzel and Anna (Dora) Mayzel; his beloved wife of 51 years, Constance (Manfre) Mayzel; his ?rst-born son, Joseph Mayzel; a daughter- in-law, Cindy Mayzel; and a step-grandson, Jake Lewis, all from Woodbridge; brothers, Frank Mayzel and Joseph Mayzel, both of Clairton, PA, also precede Armand in death. Born at home in Clairton, PA on November 18, 1938, Armand spent his early years as part of a Slovakian community on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, PA. He loved sharing stories of his adventures growing up, including jumping between the Union Railroad Company train cars, swimming in the Monogahela River, attempting to outsmart the nuns at Catholic school, and various, other adventures he shared with his six brothers and sisters. He loved sports, namely baseball and football, and was a linebacker for the Clairton Bears, helping take their team to the state football championships in 1954. Armand went on to play football for the Oregon Tech Owls after earning a football scholarship at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, where he completed a degree in Engineering Inspection in 1958. After a knee injury ended his football career, Armand spent most weekends watching football on TV, rooting for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. His exuberant passion for football may help explain why none of his four children developed any enthusiasm for professional sports. Armand spent three years serving in the U.S. Army, which took him to countries like Libya and Italy, before leaving the military in 1961 to pursue a career as an engineering inspector in Washington, DC. He met his wife Connie in 1964, the year they married, and raised his family in Alexandria VA, and later, Woodbridge. Armand was employed by a number of engineering and construction ?rms in the DC-area throughout his long, 45-year career. He was most recently employed by MacTec (previously Law Engineering), and retired in 2008 after 27 years with the company. Armand is survived by his twin sons, Armand (d. Cindy) Mayzel, Jr. of Woodbridge (grandchildren, Christopher Mayzel, Emily (Chris) Busse, step-grandson Eric Lewis and step great- grandson, Stokley Lewis) and James Mayzel of Woodbridge (wife, Susan, and grandson, Nicholas); a daughter, Maria Mayzel of Baltimore, MD (husband, Oswaldo Acosta and twins, Lucas Acosta and Olivia Acosta); a grandson, Aaron Mayzel of Fairless Hills, PA; four sisters, Audrey (d. Michael) Mihalko, of Clairton, PA, Elsie (Nazareth) Rondinelli, of San Marcos, CA, Evelyn (Anthony) Frattaroli, of Murrysville, PA and Anna Marie (Terry) Cvetan, of Belle Vernon, PA, along with numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved cat, Lilly. Armand was a longstanding member of the Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church. He and his wife, Connie, volunteered with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and walked in honor of their son, Joseph, in the MS Walk for a number of years. After his retirement, Armand became an avid woodworker, making furniture for family and friends. After losing Connie in 2016, Armand bravely fought lung cancer, which resulted in a number of chronic health conditions, all of which he managed in stride. It is uncertain if one of his many chronic health conditions ultimately led to his death - or if the prospect of the New England Patriots playing in yet another Super Bowl was the real culprit? One thing is certain - we all know the Redskins never had a shot of making it to the Super Bowl this season. Family and friends will be received at MOUNTCASTLE TURCH FUNERAL HOME, 13318 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191 on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 13752 Mary's Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191 on February 7, 2019, time to be determined, with a celebration of Armand's life to follow. In lieu of ?owers, the family requests that donations be made to the Healing Hearts Respite Foundation, P.O. Box 168, Haymarket, VA 20168. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
