Longtime Westmoreland Judge Gilfert Mihalich dies at age 93

Gilfert Mihalich served as a Westmoreland County judge for more than three decades, but one case earned him a national cable audience through a 1992 appearance with CNN host Larry King.

During that interview, Mihalich discussed the controversial 60-year prison sentence he imposed against a father convicted of repeatedly raping his daughter. The judge ordered the man to undergo surgical castration before being considered for parole.

“I received many letters and a lot of phone calls,” Mihalich said in an 2007 interview. “Eighty to 90 percent agreed with my decision.”

Judge Mihalich, 93, of South Huntingdon died Tuesday after a battle with cancer.

His career as a Common Pleas judge began in 1972, a tenure that saw him preside over the county’s highest-profile criminal cases, including “kill-for-thrill” murderers John Lesko and Michael Travaglia, who were convicted in the 1980 slaying of an Apollo police officer.

Colleagues recalled Mihalich as a no-nonsense, decisive judge.

“He always had the appearance of what you thought a judge should be. He had a stern appearance, but he was so fair,” said retired Judge Gary Caruso. “He was very punctual. If somebody was scheduled to be in court for 9 a.m., he would take the bench at 9 a.m. even if no one else was in the courtroom.”

Mihalich’s work in the courtroom was just part of his legacy.

Retired Judge John Driscoll said Mihalich oversaw administrative changes to the court system and modernized operations of the county’s domestic relations office. Mihalich wrote two books about guardianship and adoption cases that still serve as guides for judges and lawyers.

“He was a modern judge in every sense of the word, but he also liked to sit down and have a beer with friends,” Driscoll said. “He left his mark on the courts.”

Mihalich was born July 12, 1926, in Monessen, son of the late Matthew and Kathryn Yursich Mihalich, both of Croatian immigrants. He graduated from of Monessen High School in 1944, Duquesne University in 1948, University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1957 and the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev., in 1973 and ’78.

Mihalich was a member of St. Anthony De Padua Roman Catholic Church of Monessen, where he participated in the building’s construction. He became a member of Epiphany of our Lord Roman Catholic Church in Monessen, where he served as a reader during Mass and was a recipient of the “Diocese of Greensburg Award” for his longtime dedication to church activities.

While Mihalich made his mark as a lawyer and judge, family was his first priority, according to his son Leonard.

“The biggest thing in Dad’s life was the death of his brother, who was shot down over Germany in World War II. He had to live two lives, his life and his brother’s,” his son said.

Like his brother, Judge Mihalich served in the Air Force during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion for more than 73 years and a former commander of Monessen Post 28. He served as judge advocate for Post 28 for more than 50 years and judge advocate for the 31st District of the American Legion for five years.

In 1991, Mihalich was awarded the distinguished service award of the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania and distinguished service, outstanding achievement and lifelong dedication of the highest standard of criminal justice award in 1994 from the Westmoreland County Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Judge Mihalich retired in 1996 and worked as a senior jurist for the next decade.

“Away from the bench, he was a different guy,” said longtime friend Mike Brajdich. “Away from the bench he was a lot of fun, and he enjoyed spending time at his hunting camp in Clearfield.”

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 68 years, Pauline Razum Mihalich, older brother Leonard A. Mihalich, and his younger brother, former state Rep. Herman Mihalich.

Judge Mihalich is survived by his sons, Leonard A. Mihalich of Ruffsdale and Gil Mihalich of Bentleyville; daughter, Gail Lever of Princeton, Mass.; two granddaughters and two great-grandsons.

Private visitation and funeral services are Friday. Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Pittsburgh or the American Cancer Society.