BY SUSAN EVANS
Caroline Ham, the mother of Johnstown native and Pittsburgh Steelers star Jack Ham, was a gentle woman who loved her family, her caregivers said.
She died on Tuesday at the age of 88.
A native of Conemaugh, Mrs. Ham died at her residence in Richland Woods Assisted Living, where employees described her as a “wonderful, sweet lady.”
“She loved her grandchildren and her entire family,” said a staff member who helped care for her.
Mrs. Ham was a widow and is survived by her three children – the most famous of whom is the Pro Football Hall of Fame member, who now lives in Sewickley.
A graduate of Bishop McCort High School, Jack Ham was an All-America linebacker at Penn State. He was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 1971 NFL draft, the 34th player taken overall.
His sensational performance at the Steelers rookie training camp earned him a starting left linebacker spot in his first season.
He started all 14 games as a rookie and missed only four games in 10 seasons. He earned four Super Bowl rings, seven All-Pro selections and was named to eight straight Pro Bowls during his 12-year career.
Throughout his career, Ham credited his success with his Johnstown roots, strong family ties and values passed on by his mother.
He retired after the 1982 season and began a career as a radio personality. He serves as a color analyst for Penn State Radio Network and also regularly appears on a radio show in Pittsburgh with Mark Madden.
He lives in Sewickley with his wife, Joanne.
In addition to Jack Ham, Ham is survived by a daughter, Connie Banash of Dover, New Hampshire; a son, Ronald, of Stow, Massachusetts; and four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Joseph Zalupski of Tampa, Florida.
She was a member of Assumption BVM Church.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Henderson-Makuchan Funeral Home, Conemaugh.
