Victor Walter Folta, 1931-2012: Toledoan played accordion at age 5

Victor Walter Folta, a long-time accordion player at many area weddings and in several local bands, died Saturday in his home in Toledo.

He was 81.

He had been ill for some time as a result of a combination of strokes and seizures, his wife, Mary Ann, said.

Mr. Folta learned to play the accordion at age 5, she said.

He came from a musical family, with his brother playing drums and his father playing the violin.

At a young age, Mr. Folta played in a band at a cousin's wedding, his wife said.

"That was during the Depression and they couldn't afford adult musicians," she said.

"But they were good."

An elbow injury Mr. Folta suffered during his service in the Air Force during the Korean War left him in Walter Reed Hospital for nine months, his wife said, but did not affect his musical abilities.

He played at countless weddings, in bars, at retirement homes, and in regular "polka jamborees," Mrs. Folta said.

"If somebody needed an accordion player, he would play with them," she said. He played in bands such as the Vic Casey band and the Knight Winds.

Daughter Sandy Mierzwiak said her father taught all his children to dance the polka.

She said he was very active and enjoyed golfing, bowling, and other sports.

He was also an avid Detroit Tigers fan.

Daughter Vicki Abrigo said she could recall attending many games with her father as a child.

"He was so proud of me because I could name all the players on the team," she said.

Mr. Folta worked at the former Toledo Scale for 29 years in a number of positions, retiring in 1984.

Mr. Folta was born in Toledo to Victor and Cecelia (Szalankiewicz) Folta in 1931.

He was a longtime parishioner of Regina Coeli Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and was a member of the Holy Name Society.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Folta; son Victor Folta; daughters Vicki Abrigo, Sandy Mierzwiak, and Ann Oehlers; eight grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

Visitation is to be today from 2 to 8 p.m. at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd., where members of the Regina Coeli Holy Name Society are to lead a Rosary at 7 p.m.

Services are to be Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home, continuing with the funeral Mass in Regina Coeli Church at 10 a.m.

The family suggests tributes to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Contact Kate Giammarise at: kgiammarise@theblade.com or 419-724-6091.