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Wayne R Latzko
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Wayne and I met in the 5th grade at Mae M Walters elementary. He had just arrive from New Jersey. Since I had ties to Jersey as well, we hit it off pretty good. That was the start of a long friendship.
When I came home after the USMC, Wayne was the Manager of the 49th street Pool Hall. Beside the Pizza Palace, it was one of the most popular places to drop by. He Later opened a Hair salon and Boutique on 79st North Miami, named the Family Salon and Boutique. You might have visited him, and bought some clothes for a night at the Club. Wayne liked to visit Trader Johns, the Climax on 27th Ave on the weekend. The boutique lasted about 3 years, He then got into the car business with the Molino Brothers, Joe Molino Class of 1963, and his older brother Frank. Wayne was natural for the car biz, and a sales leader for many years. He became very successful,
He was married once to a beautiful girl name Susan Rodman, they met in Hialeah. They married In New Jersey where they were both from, imagine that. There were no children born from the marriage.
Later in life after a stroke, he encountered some health hardships, which would eventually be the cause of his death. He died April of 2023 at 76 years old. We always stayed very close, Like brothers, to the very end, even though I Moved to Atlanta.
He is survived by his brother John, John's Son, Little John, and little Johns mom Diane Latzko. Also a half Sister Sandy Salozzo.
I am sure many people will remember The Wayno. He was well loved by all of the kids that grew up around him in the 60's in Hialeah. Rest in Peace My Brother.
John Rabreau
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Vince "Vinny" Rusinak
Provided by Pat Gispert
Wayne and I were teammates for football and baseball starting 1957…although he did not play HS baseball, Wayne made a comeback on the last team we played together American Legion baseball summer 1964 and was our best pitcher! …Hough brothers did not play as they played in Cape Cod league prepping for their pro careers.
He was called “Moose” Latzko one year as he played Fullback, and I was HB. The next year we both left North Hialeah Optimist and transferred to Hialeah Optimist…and had a great 115 lb limit team. Wayne was a natural born leader…and he played QB…that team played an away bowl game in Brunswick, Ga...and played in the Orange Boal against a team from Connecticut, and of course won big.
Another highlight, I think we were 13 or 14, we had another one of our City of Hialeah baseball champ teams led by Wayne’s pitching! Wayne played the most important positions in both baseball (pitcher) and football (QB).
I thank God that we shared many great times in our youth and were able to create memories to last a lifetime. Rest in peace my friend “Wayne Oh” !!!!
Pat Gispert
Alice Lacedonia (Pace)
Thank you both so much for your wonderful tribute to Wayne. Many of the memories you all discuss on this website mean a lot to me.
Steve Jenkins
Wayne and I ran into one another at Sparks Park in Hialeah. We met when we were young playing sports. I think every one that knew Wayne liked him. This time at Sparks was slow pitch softball. Everyone ages. Wayne was pitching for Leo Thalassites team. They were the Hialeah Police Department and I was on the Eastern Airlines Team. The game went to extra innings. 0 to 0 after 7 innings. Hard to believe in slow pitch. EAL won 2 to 1 in eight innings. Great to see Wayne again. I believe at that time we were in our mid twenty's and still having fun.
Take Care
Steve and Lynda
Pat Bach
I have fond memories of Wayne, lots of laughs for sure. I haven't talked to him in awhile but when I last talked to him we laughed right where we left off. He was a fun friend and he will be missed. RIP my friend.