Westminster resident Scott Jeznach, 50, died on Saturday, May 22, at University of Maryland Shock Trauma from injuries he received from an accident while working on his vehicle at home on May 21.

Jeznach is known in the community as a member of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department and, from 1997 to 2008, served as code enforcement officer for the City of Westminster.

He graduated from South Carroll High School, Sykesville, and Western New England University, Massachusetts.

On Monday evening, friends and family crowded into the kitchen of the 1940s-vintage home in Westminster that Jeznach and his wife, Josephine Velazquez Jeznach, were in the midst of renovating.  The couple married Dec. 6, 2008.

Velazquez Jeznach was looking over photographs as she reminisced about their recent trip to the Dominican Republic, as her friend Lyndi McNulty stopped by with food that she and Westminster councilwoman Suzanne Albert had put together.

“Scott wanted to know where I am from … he met my father,” said Velazquez Jeznach to Jeznach’s mom, Peggy Kuehne of Cambridge, and her sister-in-law, Cheryl Anne Phillips.

“His family and friends were his priority,” said Kuehne.  Jeznach’s brother-in-law, Jeffrey Phillips added, “When he (Jeznach) made friends… he made friends for life.  I was amazed to find how many friends he had kept from middle school.”

“He was a good friend,” said Michael Schlotthober, a fellow firefighter at Westminster Volunteer Fire Company.

Albert, who had worked with Jeznach for years when he worked as the code enforcement officer for Westminster, agreed.

"He had a very difficult job, but he truly cared for people,” she said. “My association with Scott began many years ago when he started working for the city.  I respected Scott… in that unappreciated job position (of) telling people how to improve their quality of life.

“He found happiness in marrying my friend Josie.  I hold the two of them in my heart and prayers,” added Albert.

Jeznach was an avid reader and history buff, said Jeznach’s sister-in-law, Phillips.  “He was a walking encyclopedia.”

He was a member of the Hillsboro North Carolina Masonic Lodge.  Due to his love of history, he was a reenactor with Congress’ Own Revolutionary War units, Royal Marines, Star of 1812, and World War II reenactors groups.

Kuehne chuckled as she noted that “Scott had more reenactment stuff than regular clothes.”

Sgt. 1st Class Jeznach served as a jumpmaster in the 82nd Airborne Division and the 7th Special Forces Group and as a military intelligence agent in the U.S. Army.

He served his country in the first Gulf War — Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.  He also served in Honduras, Nicaragua, and in the Invasion of Panama - Operation Just Cause.  He received multiple commendations associated with his 13-year military career.

“I was always proud of him.  When I was in middle school, Scott came and talked with my class,” said Phillips of Jeznach’s military service.

“He’s always told me that his forefathers fought for his freedoms and he was going to fight for our,” said Kuehne.

“He loved his country,” added Velazquez Jeznach, who had also served in the U.S. Army as an E-4 Specialist – Medic.

Jeznach is survived by his loving sister Cheryl Anne and brother-in-law Jeffery Phillip.  His nephew and godchild Russell Charles Phillip of Eden, Md.; stepchildren Jose Jr., Daniel and Clarissa Velazquez; his Aunt Pat Kelly, aunt and uncle Diane and Jack Folger, aunt and uncle Terri and Ken Kuehne, many sisters and brothers-in-law and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department, 28 John Street in Westminster on Thursday, May 27, at 6 pm. Visitation is from 5 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, 28 John Street, P.O. Box 357, Westminster, MD 21158 or to the Clarissa Velazquez Education Fund, 450 E. Green Street, Westminster, MD 21157.

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