Michael J. Biss

Michael J. Biss, 89, of Brockway, PA, passed away peacefully in his home on Alexander Street on January 8, 2025, just a block away from the house on Tracy Way where he was born on August 28, 1935.  He was the son of the late Michael and Mary (Scarnati) Biss. 

A devoted husband, Mike was married to his beloved wife, Deanna (Gustafson), for 58 years. He is survived by his two daughters, Dana (James Carlson) Cavalier of Brockway and Amy (Mike) Benscoter of Pittsburgh; and four grandchildren, Joe Jern of Brockway, Jordyn Cavalier of Pittsburgh, and Noah and Evan Benscoter of Pittsburgh. His grandchildren were his greatest joy, and he cherished every moment spent with them.  

A lifelong resident of Brockway, Mike had an unmatched passion for his hometown. He was a true Brockway historian, delighting friends, neighbors, and newcomers with stories from the past. He took immense pride in sharing the rich history of the town he loved so deeply, ensuring its legacy lived on through his words and memories.  

Mike's love for Brockway extended to its sports, especially football. For over five decades, he served on the chain gang for Brockway football games, a role he cherished. Friday nights on the sidelines brought him immense joy and purpose, and he often said it was what kept him going. His dedication to the team and the community's athletic traditions was a cornerstone of his life, and he was a fixture at games, cheering on the players with unwavering enthusiasm.

In addition to his love for local sports, Mike was a lifelong fan of Notre Dame football. Saturdays in the fall were sacred as he cheered on the Fighting Irish with pride and passion. His unwavering loyalty to the team was a hallmark of his life, and he loved sharing that enthusiasm with friends and family.

Mike also had a deep love for the arts. He was a talented local artist who created countless paintings and drawings. His work enriched the community and left a legacy of creativity and beauty in places throughout town. At work, Mike entertained his coworkers with whimsical cartoon sketches, brightening their days with his humor and artistic flair. His creativity was a gift that he shared freely.

Above all, Mike's faith in God was the foundation of his life. He instilled that same faith in his children, a gift they are deeply thankful for and one that continues to guide them. His  belief and trust in God shaped his character and provided strength and comfort to his family throughout his life.

Mike was also honored as the Brockway Sportsman of the Year in 2019, an accolade that perfectly captured his spirit and dedication to the place he called home. We find it fitting to share the words from that tribute, as they encapsulate his life and legacy better than we ever could (a special thank you to Nick Hoffman for this write-up): 

                                                          2019 BROCKWAY SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Born and raised in Brockway, our Sportsman of the Year has spent his entire life within a short walk to the ballfields at Taylor Memorial Park.

To him, a change in seasons signals the start of another sport. Fall finds him following the Rovers on the football field. During spring and summer, you’ll see him strolling among the bleachers at the Little League Fields. He attends nearly every home game, no matter the sport. He is that familiar face you can always spot from the stands. In his own steadfast, unassuming way, he has supported an untold number of Brockway youth throughout their entire athletic careers – and now he is supporting their children – and even grandchildren – in the same way. 

To those who know him, his attendance at games is hardly surprising, given his history of community involvement. Before he graduated from Brockway High School in 1954, he was the statistician for the basketball team. He used his artistic talent to help create the murals at Brockway’s children’s library and the Brockwayville Depot. He coached Pony League Baseball for several years while his children were growing up.

He played trumpet in the Brockway Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps. As chairman of the Fourth of July’s Parade Committee throughout the seventies and eighties, his love for marching bands and bugle corps enabled him to bring the best he could to Brockway each year.

He has been a fixture on the sidelines at Rover home football games, where he was a member of the chain gang for 53 seasons, retiring two years ago.

He had one of the best seats in the house for all that Rover football history: Little 12 Championships, AML Championships, District 9 Championships, watching future NFL Hall-of-Famers play and seeing players who etched their names in the record books of Pennsylvania as well as Brockway High. He’s watched no fewer than eight Brockway head coaches, including PA Coaches Hall-of Famers Ray Reckner and Charlie Zoffuto.

He understands the game, too. A visiting coach once thought the Brockway Chain Gang was sending plays to the Rover sidelines. “If we were sending over plays,” he told the coach, “we wouldn’t be losing the damned game.”

From the sidelines to the ball diamond, contributors are there not only for the games, but also for that behind-the-scenes work. Our Sportsman of the Year has always been a contributor, from painting the locker room doors at the football field to painting the cheerleaders’ megaphones.

As Robert F. Kennedy once said, “The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” Our Sportsman of the Year found that purpose early and continues to make his contributions count, no matter the magnitude.

His community is second only to his family. A mould-maker for Brockway Glass and Owens Brockway for 44 years, he and his wife, Deanna, were married on August 4, 1962. They have two daughters – Dana and Amy – and four grandchildren, Joe, Jordyn, Noah and Evan.

From his family to past and current Brockway athletes, our recipient has supported so many people gathered in this room tonight. And so, we are honored to say a collective “thank you” for those short walks he takes to the ballfields and for the longstanding encouragement he has provided to our athletes for decades.

Ladies and gentlemen, our 2019 Sportsman of the Year is Mike Biss

Michael J. Biss leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and an enduring connection to Brockway. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.  

Visitation will be on Saturday, January 18 from 2 PM to 6 PM at the Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 6:00 PM with Msgr. Charles Kaza officiating. Burial will follow in St. Tobias Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Brockway Gridiron Association (send a check made payable to "Brockway Football Gridiron Association" to P.O. Box 192, Brockway, PA 15824).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael J. Biss, please visit our floral store.