West Homestead restaurant owner instilled family values

Millie Tarasevich was raised in a family that valued education and hard work -- values that she lived by and passed on to her family.

"They understood the importance of a good foundation," said Mrs. Tarasevich's daughter, Julie Dever of Munhall.

Mildred "Millie" Tarasevich of West Homestead, formerly of Munhall, died on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at her home. She was 80.

Dever said her mother's disciplined upbringing in Homestead began when her parents sent her to St. Anne's School through eighth grade.

Then, Joseph and Julia Straka, who operated Straka's Restaurant in Homestead and lived upstairs from the business, opted to send their only child to a boarding school -- St. Joseph's Academy at the then Seton Hill College in Greensburg.

When it came time to find a home for his family, Joseph Straka decided to stay local.

"My grandparents looked all over -- Churchill, Point Breeze," Dever said. "But my grandfather said, 'We can't go there. We made our money here, and we have to support the community.'"

The family moved into a home on Venango Street in the Homestead Park section of Munhall.

Dever said Straka's Restaurant was one of the first businesses in the county to obtain a liquor license at the end of Prohibition in 1933.

Mrs. Tarasevich studied business at Duquesne University. Rather than completing her degree, she came back to Homestead and began working in the restaurant.

She met Joseph A. Tarasevich at a church dance, and they were married in 1952. Mr. Tarasevich died in 1990.

Dever said the entire family worked in the business. Mrs. Tarasevich, who with her late husband owned the restaurant, took care of the finances, cooked, waitressed and tended bar until it closed in 1997.

"Mom was dignified, elegant and worldly, but humble," Dever said.

Former state Sen. Albert "Bud" Belan of Jefferson Hills said Mrs. Tarasevich was a "terrific person" who was a great cook.

"Straka's had great roast beef sandwiches," Belan said. "She (Mrs. Tarasevich) cooked all the food."

Belan's wife, Betty, said that no matter how busy Mrs. Tarasevich was, she always took time to chat with customers.

"She was one busy gal," Betty Belan said. "She was a lovely lady."

In addition to daughter Julie, Mrs. Tarasevich is survived by a daughter, Susan Lynne Tarasevich of West Homestead; and two grandchildren.

Prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. today at George Irvin Green Funeral Home Inc., 3511 Main St., Munhall, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Anne Worship Site, St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, 343 W. 11th Ave., Homestead, with the Rev. John Harvey officiating. Interment will be in St. Anne Cemetery.