Harry Ambrose Smith, Jr. 101, of Latrobe, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2022 in Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. He was born March 22, 1921 in Brackenbridge, PA, the son of the late Harry A. Smith, Sr. and Ella (Kennelly) Smith.
Harry graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in mechanical engineering. While at Pitt, Harry played the trumpet in the Pitt marching band. He participated in the alumni marching band at Pitt football games until he was 90 years old. After graduating from Pitt, Harry served in the U.S. Army during World War II as an infantry officer in the Pacific Theater, and thereafter as part of the Army of Occupation in Japan. Prior to his retirement in 1986, Harry was employed by PPG Industries, and was a former plant manager at PPG’s Greensburg plant. Active in the community, Harry was a former executive at Meals on Wheels. During his leisure time, Harry enjoyed golfing and traveling the world with Velma, the love of his life. He was a member of St. Vincent Basilica, the Latrobe American Legion Thomas B. Anderson Post 515, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 894 in Natrona Heights.
In addition to his parents, Harry was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Velma Zeralda (Smith) Smith. He is survived by four children: Harry A. Smith III (Judith) of Elkins, WV, Patricia Levi (George) of Centennial, CO, Thomas W. Smith (Heather) of Greensburg, and Rebecca Burger (Rene), of Manor; eight grandchildren: Nathaniel Smith (Jessica), Samantha Newman (John), Emily Stites (Nick), Carolyn Levi, Rachel Cunningham, Bethany Faulk (Troy), Katie Kudrick (Kevin), and Matthew Burger (Nicolette); and six great grandchildren: Sia Smith, Harriet Newman, Addison and Logan Stites, and Ethan and Reese Cunningham.
Friends will be received Wednesday, Apr. 13th from 4 until 7 PM in the Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home, Inc., 1500 Ligonier Street, Latrobe. A funeral liturgy will be held Thursday, Apr. 14th at 10 AM in the funeral home chapel. Entombment with full military honors accorded by the VFW Post 33 Honor Guard will follow in the Mary, Mother of Mercy Mausoleum in St. Vincent Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org. To post an online condolence, please visit www.hartman-grazianofuneralhome.com.
Brother Benedict Janecko, O.S.B.
Brother Benedict F. Janecko, O.S.B., 83, a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey for more than 60 years, died Friday, May 20, 2022 after a brief