J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Uzel, Benjamin T., Sr.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Benjamin T. Uzel, Sr., 85, of Chesterfield Co., died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 7, 2010. He was born in Dinwiddie to the late Frank and Mary Glaser Uzel, and was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rose Elko Uzel; two sons, Ben Jr., of Colonial Heights, and Paul, of Louisa; two sisters, Mary Throckmorton, of Mechanicsville, Agnes Bailey of Ashland; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Carson High School, a Navy Veteran, and was retired from Hercules-Aqualon, in Hopewell. Ben loved his family, his Czech heritage, and his Catholic faith. Mr. Uzel was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Petersburg, and was a former lay minister at St. Ann’s, in Colonial Heights. He loved the outdoors, was an avid gardener, and lover of animals. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A mass of the resurrection will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday March 11, 2010 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 151 West Washington Street, Petersburg, Va. 23803, with Father Steve Antes as celebrant, interment will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church cemetery. The family will receive from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday night at the church with a wake service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Flowers are welcome, or contributions may be made to St. Joseph Outreach Program or to the St. Joseph Building Fund, PO Box 2006 Petersburg, Virginia 23804. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

Ben and Family
Your Dad was so kind to me when I came to your parents home several years ago. What you may not know are the many times I found myself lost and I would find him in the yard. He would smile. Lost? "I will point you in the right direction". For years he would see the state car and wave. I will keep you in my thoughts as this will be a difficult adjustment. I will miss him too!
Elaine Warren

Posted by: Elaine Warren at March 11, 2010 07:42 PM

Rose, Ben, and Paul
Ben will be truly missed, and he will live on in our memories forever.

A family story you may not know... Steve Glaser loaned money to Barta Vinsh and wife Antonia Mizera, my grandparents, to help pay for Temple Farm on Quaker Road in Prince George.

Mary Glaser, wife of Frank Uzel, and their two children came to USA with Antonia and her two children, along with Frank and Johanna/Jennie Houska-Antonia's niece. It was 4 adults on the ship together, so each adult was able to take care of one child. (Both Frank Uzel and Barta Vinsh were already in USA)

We have a rich Czech history together. It was good how the Czechs helped each other succeed during their hard times and starting out in the USA.

Ben's smile and good character will be greatly missed by all.
Take care, Jenny Blaha Jones

Posted by: Jenny Blaha Jones at March 10, 2010 12:50 PM

Ben and Family,

We are so sorry for your loss. Your dad was just at my house the Sunday before last. Such a caring and friendly man! My kids were talking about him for days because they enjoyed his company. We are here if you need anything. You were blessed to have such a good man in your life. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.

Posted by: Becky Martin at March 9, 2010 08:56 AM