Mark Habat

Music for a Lifetime

Over the years, members of the Habat family have often been recognized for their unselfish service to the Slovenian community. Mark E. Habat Jr., honored as the Man of the Year from the Slovenian Society Home on Recher Avenue in Euclid, follows in the family tradition of grandfather, John Habat, Sr. and uncle, John Habat Jr. both of who were honored in the past as Federation Men of the Year.

Born in Cleveland on October 11, 1954, Mark was the oldest of six children of the late Polka Hall of Fame lifetime achievement award winner Eddie Habat, the late Diane (Kaiser) Habat, and stepson of Patricia Budzilek. His siblings are Eddie Jr.,  Wayne, Jeff, Paul and Patty. Mark grew up in Euclid Ohio in the house where his brother Wayne and his family presently live.

While attending Euclid High School, Mark was a member of the "Varsity Chorale", a group of twenty- four talented singers, dancers and stage performers whose expertise was Broadway and popular   music. Their exceptional abilities were recognized when they were invited to perform in Europe visiting twenty-three cities, eleven countries in twenty-one days.

Mark and brother, Wayne studied drums with Jimmy Medves, the drummer for the John Pecon Band. When Mark was fourteen years old he played his first job on New Year's Eve with the Frank   Barbie Orchestra. Since that time, he has played with many bands, currently with Fred Ziwich and his International Sound Machine. Mark has recorded over forty albums   and CD’s with various bands. With the Walter Ostanek Orchestra was honored by performing three Grammy winning albums and nominated eighteen times.

One of the highlights of Mark's music career was playing drums with his dad, Eddie on his last album, "From the Heart" with Chris Kotsos. For almost five years Mark hosted a two hour Sunday Slovenian radio program on radio station WATJ in Chardon Ohio. He also played on five polka cruises with Markic-Zagger, Al Novak, and Tony Klepec.

Although Mark is known primarily as a drummer and vocalist, he also played the upright bass with the Tony Klepec Orchestra. Mark has been a member of the Slovenian Society Home for over 30 years and has organized many jam sessions in the clubroom, especially during the holiday season.

Mark has been working for Wonder Bread (Hostess Cakes) for twenty- nine years and is a member of Ohio teamsters local #52 where he was the union representative for eight years.

Mark is the father of five children: Mark Jr.; Marie Gilbert; Kathy; and in Florida, Crystal and Carol. Mark is currently married to Debbie (Mervar) Habat for the past three years and lives in Mentor.