Thomas and Rosemary (Mitzi) Brayak

GLADSTONE — On May 3, 2025, Thomas and Rosemary (Mitzi) Brayak of Gladstone (Groos Location) celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the Croatian island of Hvar in the Adriatic Sea along with ten close relatives. Joining them were their daughter and son-in-law, Tamara and Jarrod Ingram; Toma’s brother, Terry and his sons, Ryan and Travis; Tom’s sister and her husband, Laurie and Gerry Nelson; Mitzi’s brother and his wife, Gavin and Ivelisse Murzello; and Mitzi’s sister, Karen Murzello from Mumbai, India. A reception and dinner was held at Murvica restaurant in the seaside town of Jelsa, Hvar.

The former Mitzi Murzello is originally from India and the couple met in India in 1972 when Tom was working as a Peace Corps volunteer there. Tom and Mitzi were married May 3, 1975 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Jamshedpur, India. The maid of honer was Mitzi’s sister, Maryann Murzello, and best man was Tom’s brother, Terry. The couple honeymooned in the Himalayas near the town of Darjeeling and came to the states on June 2, 1975. Tom worked for 53 years at Bichler Gravel & Concrete Co., eventually becoming a co-owner with his brother Terry. Tom retired in 2018. Mitzi had a number of jobs in the retail and travel fields, as well as volunteering at the art center, St. Vincent de Paul, Animal shelter and more. They are members of St Joseph & St Patrick Parish and have been involved in the choir there.They both enjoy travelling and have visited more than 50 countries.