Goodbye to Friend and Family

This past summer took a personal toll, with the loss of a dear friend and my sister-in-law. Each person’s life contained legal ramifications.

In July, Mark Wolosik, a decades long friend and colleague, died suddenly. Mark was 65 and spent his entire work career in the Allegheny County Elections Department, the last 27 as Director. Mark retired in September, 2018 and was enjoying his all too brief retirement. Mark started his elections career doing tasks such as pushing the heavy mechanical voting machines that were used in the 1970s and went on to experience over 100 elections. In retirement, he was a consultant with Allegheny County at the time of his death, as part of a committee selecting new voting systems, stressing cyber-security.

While the elections process has been undermined in recent years, and fears of foreign intervention and hacking exist, Mark did everything in his power to ensure full and fair elections. I was Mark’s solicitor for his entire tenure as Director and state, without question, that Mark dedicated every working and waking hour to “getting it right.” Our elector system succeeds because of people like Mark who are dedicated to accurate, nonpartisan elections administration.

Mark was an example of the best in government.

In August, my sister-in-law, Karen Kmetz succumbed at age 55, after an 11 year struggle with Stage IV (metastatic) breast cancer, beating tremendously long odds to survive. Karen’s longevity and largely good quality of life were due to dedicated and selfless support from family, friends and co-workers, but was also aided by comprehensive medical insurance coverage, which enabled Karen to seek top notch medical care, with treatment, including surgeries and chemotherapy. At a time when many people do not have comprehensive medical insurance coverage, Karen was fortunate in that regard.

Additionally, Karen was involved and benefited from organizations and programs that are funded by tax exempt contributions. These programs, such as Camp Raising Spirits, a Pittsburgh based annual retreat for adults with cancer, sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, exist because of contributions, without government funding. Similar programs improve the quality of life for individuals of varying needs.

Consider those tax exempt charities and fund them for their good work, so that people like Karen can flourish despite illness or disability. Karen’s joy of life will be forever missed.

– Allan Opsitnick