James M. Link

James Michael Link, long-time executive with the Meadville Forging Company, died Jan. 25, 2010, in Los Angeles, CA while returning from a family trip to Australia.
Mr. Link was widely respected in the steel forging industry, serving on national and international trade association boards.
He joined Meadville Forging in 1992 and was vice president of sales and marketing at the time of his death. He served as president of the North American Forging Industry Association in 2006-2007 and was chairman of the International Forging Conference in Chicago, Ill., in September 2008.
Mr. Link was born in Wheeling, W. Va., on Jan. 23, 1950, to the late Robert and Dorothy Link.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Phyllis Maggio Link; a son and daughter-in-law, Rob and Julie Link of Knoxville, Tenn., a daughter, Kelly Elizabeth Link, also of Knoxville; and a granddaughter, Keaton Link. A brother, Richard Link of Wheeling, also survives him along with nephews, Jeremy and Sean Link.
Mr. Link was a graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering and a masters degree in business administration. His career previously led him to assignments in Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Peachtree City, Ga.
He was a devout Catholic and a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the business board of the Meadville Medical Center.
In addition to business travels that took him to Asia, Europe and Latin America, Mr. Link was an avid golfer and enjoyed trips with his many friends to Scotland and Ireland to play links courses.
While Jim spent much of his time in boardrooms or negotiating business deals, he was equally at home participating in the annual maple syrup boil with his friends or as Pap Pap, taking his granddaughter to the pumpkin patch in a wagon to find just the right Halloween pumpkin.
The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, February 6 from 3 - 6 p.m. at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335 where a Memorial Service will be conducted at 6:00 PM with Fr. James Piszker, Chaplain of Mercyhurst College, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Crawford County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Inc. at 310 Chestnut St, Suite 334, Meadville, PA 16335 or to the West Virginia University School of Business and Economics at 1601 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26506. Checks to the WVU School of Business and Economics need to be made out to the WVU Foundation with 'MBA Program - In memory of James M. Link' notated in the memo line.
Share your condolences at miznerfuneralhome@zoominternet.net