LUDMILLA (CHERMAK) SACIK was born in Czechoslovakia in 1889. She celebrated her 100th birthday on January 15, 1989. She is the oldest of 14 children, 3 of which are still living. She was 11 years old when she started to babysit because her family needed money. The nuns in her convent wanted her to stay in school but her father made her work. Ludmilla came to America in April 1913. During the Great Depression she helped many people who were sick or without food. She served as the secretary for Zenska Jednota for 35 years and traveled to many cities as a delegate to Zenska Jednota conventions. She is a former member of the Holy Trinity Altar Society and is a present member of the Holy Trinity Christian Mothers and Ladies Guild.

SAM SALOUM was born in Kittanning on April 7, 1917 to Saffae and Sophia (Farah) Saloum. One of six children, Sam was educated in the public schools of Ford City and graduated from FCHS in 1936. From the time he graduated from high school, Sam was a dedicated union activist. When asked what his C.B. “handle” was, he would answer “Union Sam, what else?” Sam’s motto was “it only costs a little more to go first class.” “Brother Sam,”as he was known to his fellow workers, went to work at PPG in the wareroom of Works #4 in 1936. He worked in various capacities for the glass company including booker, cutter, and inspector. Almost immediately, Sam became interested in the union movement. He served as union grievance man in the wareroom and also as a timestudy and job evaluation representative for Ford City Local 14. He was elected Vice President of the Local for 1952-1954 and prior to that he had also served on Local 14’s Industrial Relations committee. Sam was elected full time President of the Local in 1956 and served in this office until his election of President of District I in 1963. Sam would continue to serve District I as the International District President until his election as Regional Vie President of Region I of the United Glass and Ceramic Workers of North America. He held this office until July 14, 1979 at which time he was appointed Special Assistant to the International President. Sam was often referred to as the “happy working warrior”. He was one who simply would not give up. In spite of open heart surgery, Sam continued to work long hours in his service to the membership and did so willingly. Sam was well qualified to lead his union. There were few if any areas of union activity that Sam was not considered an expert. Union membership always came first with Sam. While on union business, Sam lost his life in a motel fire in Cambridge, Ohio on July 31, 1979, ending his remarkable union career of forty-three years. Sam also served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Monsour Medical Foundation in Jeannette and was a member of St. Grace Syrian Orthodox Church in New Kensington, the Ford City Eagles and Kittanning Elks Club. Sam was married to Harriet Gennaula and had one son, Sam, Jr. and one daughter, Mrs. George T. (Sandra) Andra.

ANDREW J. SAMAJ, son of Stephen and Mary (Revak) Samaj, was born in Ford City on July 23, 1913 and passed away on December 27, 1992. He was educated in the local public schools. A well known area merchant, he was in the grocery business for more than half a century. As a teenager, Andy worked at Gruskins in Ford City and would eventually purchase the business from them. He changed the name and operated the business as Andy’s Market. He was a self-made man. Andy was well known for his generosity and excellent employee relations. For five decades he supported baseball, basketball and softball teams in the area. He bought these “Andy’s Market” teams new uniforms every year for many, many years. Thousands of area youngsters benefited from his concern and generosity. He was a man who cared. Andy Samaj was an active member of the Holy Trinity Church, the Ford City Lions Club, the Ford City Area Business and Professional Association and Jednota. He was married to the former Lucy Wyant for fifty-one years and they had two sons, Andrew John Samaj, Jr. and Steve Samaj and two grandchildren, Andrew John Samaj III and Kara Ann Samaj.

FRITZ SCHEEREN graduated from Ford City High School and went to Kiski Prep for two years where he played football, basketball and baseball. He then attended Lafayette College for two years and played football, earning Honorable Mention on Walter Camp’s All American team. He played semi-pro baseball at Ford City and New Bethlehem for twenty years. He played one year for the Pittsburgh Pirates and batted close to .300. He was at bat in a game and the manager sent him a bunt sign. Fritz, however, liked the pitch a hit a home run. He was benched by is manager and later sent to Triple A Wheeling. Fritz has been elected to the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame.

TILLMAN SCHEEREN, JR. was the second of four children born to Tillman, Sr. and Anna (Schultz) Scheeren, in Kokomo, Indiana on July 25, 1892. His brothers and sisters were Otto, Fritz and Anna. Tillman, Sr. was Ford City’s Burgess as well as an astute businessman, first purchasing the D.B. Heiner Building on the corner of Ford Street and Fourth Avenue for $28,000 in 1904 and transforming it into the Scheeren Hotel and a tavern. He also owned the first 5 and 10 cent store on Ford Street, a real estate and insurance agency and a liquor and wine store on Fifth Avenue. Tillman Jr. married Edna Batz of Ford City and they raised three children, the late James Scheeren (who became an architect), Robert T. Scheeren (also and architect) and Sally (Scheeren) Walsh, a housewife. The family lived in a house designed by Tillman Sr. on O’Connor Street and they worshipped at the Ford Methodist Church. Tillman Jr. attended public schools in Ford City and would graduate as valedictorian of the Class of 1911. He played of Ford City High School’s first basketball team. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1916, he served his country overseas in World War One. He was a member of the Ford City Post of the American Legion from the time of his honorable discharge until his death on April 9, 1953. For twenty-five years, Tillman was a registered architect and designed some of the finest buildings in Armstrong, Indiana and Clarion Counties, many of which are still in use today. His buildings have stood the test of time for beauty and functionality. Among the Ford City buildings designed by Tillman are: the Presbyterian Manse, St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Fraternal Order of the Eagle’s Lodge, the Flynn Department Store building, Greenbaum’s Furniture Store, the American Slovak Store (now Mantini’s Funeral Home), Ford City Elementary School, the 1922 addition to Ford City High School, the Ford City High School Gymnasium, and the homes of Dr. James Allison, Dr. Woody Allison, Ralph Utley and John Watson. He also designed the Armstrong and Clarion County Courthouses, the Kittanning Memorial Hospital, the Armsdale Home on Route 85, Elderton Elementary School, Elderton High School, Redbank Valley High School, Freeport Junior High School, Marion Center Joint High School, the Alltel telephone Building in Kittanning, Bellwood Elementary School, and the headquarters of the Armstrong School District on Pleasantview Drive. In Kittanning, he designed the Montgomery Wards Building on the corner of Market and South Water Streets, the First Church of God, the Moose Temple, Kittanning Middle School, Kittanning Builders’ Supply, the Golden Building, the Crossett and Kin Building, Kittanning Fire Halls # 4 and # 6 and the Leader Times Building on North Grant Avenue. He also designed the West Glade Run Presbyterian Church, the fire hall in North Apollo, the I.O.O.F. Hall in Leechburg, the Methodist Church in Freeport, the Yatesboro Presbyterian Church, dormitories for Clarion University of Pennsylvania and the addition to Dayton High School. He also was the designer of the A & P Store in Clarion and many buildings on the Clarion University of Pennsylvania campus. Tillman was dedicated to his family, his church and his work. He has influenced many of us in a positive manner and has left his lasting impression, particularly in the Ford City area.

CHARLES F. SCHMAUS was born in Ford City on April 29, 1944 to the late Charles A. and Hedwig (Reich) Schmaus. He graduated from Holy Trinity Parochial School in 1958 and Ford City High School in 1962. During his senior year he led the team to its twenty-eighth sectional basketball title. Charlie received a full basketball scholarship to Virginia Military Institute where, as an outstanding player, he was named to a number of All America teams. Upon his graduation, he was drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Royals of the National Basketball Association.In 1966, Charlie accepted an assistant coaching position at VMI and four years later became their head coach. In his first year, his VMI team had an overall record of twenty-six wins and only four losses, including a twenty-one game winning streak. That team made the NCAA Eastern Regional Finals, was ranked in the Top 20 by the Associated Press and earned him “Coach of the Year” honors in the Southern Conference. Charlie coached at VMI for eleven seasons, at the University of Richmond for one year and for several years at the Coastal Academy. He also refereed for a number of years. Charles Schmaus married Jean Macdonald of Miami, Florida. They have two children, Karen and Donald. The family resides in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he makes his living as a realtor.

MARY ELIZABETH SCHWARTZ was born in Ford City where she attended St. Mary’s Parochial School and graduated from Ford City High School in 1939. She went on to St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Gary, Indiana and then to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1943. From 1944-1982, Mary was employed at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. Most of those years were spent in the obstetrics department. Many expectant mothers were thankful Mary was on duty and on countless occasions, she was the first face to greet the newborns. She faithfully ministered to the families of Armstrong County for nearly forty years and could always be relied on for comfort, service and a great smile. In the course of performing her duties, Mary earned the respect and admiration of the staff and all of those who came to know her. She was selflessly dedicated to those whom she served and was a credit to her profession. She was honored in elementary school ,high school and nursing school for her perfect attendance records, having never missed a single day of her schooling. Now in retirement, Mary enjoys spending time with her daughter, Barbara Anthony, her nieces, nephews and grandchildren. As a positive person, she supports all worthwhile causes. She can’t say enough about the good years and all of the fine people with whom she worked for so many years. Mary loves Ford City.

ROCCO SERRAO was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia on December 27, 1911 to Dominic and Susan (Izzo) Serrao, both of whom emigrated to this country from Italy. The family moved to Ford City in 1922. Dominic made his living in the construction and theater business, building the Ford Memorial Methodist Church and the Savoy Theater in Ford City in the early Twenties. Rocco graduated from Kittanning High School in 1932. He was an exceptionally talented musician and was taught to play trumpet by the renowned James V. Colonna. Rocco won many trophies and was named “State Champion Trumpet Player” in 1932. After graduation, he played for a number of years with the Perry Como Band. Rocco became and entrepreneur who, for more than forty years, operated the Roxy and Ritz Theaters in Ford City and the Super 66 Drive In located in Manor Township. His beautiful Roxy Theater was adorned with many colors of carrera glass that was manufactured in Ford City. He provided a great variety of entertainment for the people of the area. He was a frequent promoter of his businesses and Ford City. He loved kids and frequently gave away bicycles, candy, rabbits and peeps around Easter, candy canes and popcorn balls at Christmas, turkeys and chickens at Thanksgiving and such things as ray guns to compliment space serials such as “Buck Rogers”. Glassware, cooking utensils and Valentine’s Day hearts were also among the many prizes he gave away to his patrons during the week and on Friday nights when they played Bingo, Spinno, and Lotto. Cash prizes of $100.00 or more were not uncommon. For a number of years, he donated his theater to the Ford City Lions Club so that they might conduct their “Amateur Nights,” thereby providing an opportunity for local talent to perform and help this service organization raise funds for charities. Frequently he hosted movies such as “The Bells of St. Mary’s,” “The Miracle of Fatima,” The Ten Commandments,” “Joan of Arc,” “The Miracle of St. Theresa,” “The Day of Triumph” and numerous cartoons and many other productions for the enjoyment of the students and teachers of the parochial schools of St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity. Rocco also brought professional entertainers to his theater. The stage of the Roxy was wired for radio broadcasts and it was equipped with special lighting. When the Wheeling Jamboree came to town, performers such as Abby Neal, Doc Williams, Johnny Mack Brown and Tex Ritter graced the stage of the Roxy. The Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore) and his horse Silver came to the Super 66 Drive In in October 1962. When Silver unexpectedly died, Rocco kept his cool and secretly and successfully found another “Silver” as a replacement. Almost no one in Ford City has forgotten the three day promotion at the Roxy of “Frankenstein” when Rocco brought in the seven foot monster to prowl Ford Street terrifying all who spotted him. Neither will the residents of Ford City soon forget the young girl who, as another Rocco promotion, was hypnotized at the Roxy and slept for two days in the showcase of Greenbaum’s Furniture Store. Ignoring warnings that drive-ins were a passing fad and that television would destroy the movie industry, Rocco constructed the Super 66 Drive in 1953. Upon his death in 1983, the Super 66 closed its gates for good. Most Ford City area residents fondly remember his “Buck a Carload” nights when entire families could attend. Students in our area competed to see who could get the most people into one car. Rocco operated his theaters as a family business, but employed many during his forty- year stay in Ford City. Rocco Serrao was married to Helen Duzak of Cadogan and they had two children, Rox and Marlene. Rocco passed away on August 1, 1983. He was a member of the Ford Memorial United Methodist church of Ford City.

STANLEY SHAFFER was born in Butler, Pennsylvania on October 4, 1910 and was the second of four children. He spent most of his life in Ford City, graduating from FCHS in 1928. He loved to participate in sports and lettered in football, basketball and track. Stan’s mother was one of the earliest settlers of Ford City, emigrating from Stolberg, Germany in 1888. Her father, Gerhard Miller, poured the first plate glass in ford City for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company.On September 7, 1935, Stanley married Winifred Baum of Kittanning and in 1985 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. They had one son, Stanley, who is plant manager of Madera Glass Company in Fresno, California and one daughter, Carole, who teaches Business education in Franklin, Pennsylvania. Stan and Winifred have three grandsons and two granddaughters. During the Depression, Stan worked at many different jobs and hoboed all over the United States. He was a thresherman in South Dakota and a structural ironworker. Using his innate mechanical ability, he built one of the first front wheel drive midget cars in the East and placed third in the race of Midget cars held in Pittsburgh. As an employee of PPG, he advanced in the mechanical ranks in Works #6 and became Master Mechanic and Supervisor of Maintenance. While an employee of PPG, he was responsible for many innovations and is credited with two patents. He retired in 1975. Stan had a unique hobby of building model steam engines, similar to those that ran the big sawmills and factories of years past. These model engines were displayed at steam shows in surrounding states and Canada. Until 1975, Stan also shot target with the Ford City Rifle Team. For fourteen years, Stan served the people of Ford City as a councilman from the First Ward. During periods of construction, Stan’s mechanical skill was extremely helpful to the borough. One of the major projects in which he was involved was the floodwater pumping system constructed on the PPG property along the Allegheny River. He and the Borough maintenance supervisors had a good working relationship during his years on Council. Stan served as president of the Ford City Lions Club, was a charter member of the West Penn Live Steamers, past president of the Ford City Rifle Club and past Master of Masonic Lodge #805.

ABRAHAM SHARADIN arrived at Ford City high School from Shippensburg College in 1923 and taught here for eight years until 1931 when he moved to Danville High School in Danville, Pennsylvania. In his eight years at FCHS, he established a standard of excellence in athletics rarely witnessed in state history. Fortunately for the students and athletes of FCHS, he was replaced by another coaching legend, Cornelius “Neenie” Campbell. Born to Pennsylvania Dutch parents on January 21, 1886, he was thirty-seven years old when he reported to his first day at FCHS. In great physical condition himself, he demanded excellence from his students. He taught his students through every gymnastics drill possible from the rings to the balance beam. Being the only coach, he also coached everything. In covering his resignation, the Leader Times of April 6, 1931 speaks of Abe Sharadin in a very truthful light: “Coach Sharadin resigns. Man who put Ford City on the basketball map to leave Ford City.” During his tenure, Coach Sharadin built Ford City High School into a basketball power, winning the section five of eight years (1924, 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931). The record shows four consecutive sectional titles. His overall record at FCHS was an astonishing 142 wins versus only 42 defeats. His junior varsity teams won 90 games while losing only 12. Coaching baseball, Coach Sharadin compiled a record of 75 wins and only 26 losses and his football teams held a record of 27 wins and 19 losses. Overall, a compilation of all of his teams’ records stands at 334 wins, 99 losses. No coach to this day has equaled the level of his success. Coach Sharadin’s family consisted of six sons and five daughters. He was married to the former Georgina Pearl McHenry.

MARGARET L. SHUMAKER was born in Kittanning to Robert Turney and Harriet Walthour on June 11, 1907. She attended local schools and graduated from Kittanning High School in 1924. She graduated from Indiana Normal School, now IUP, in 1926. Her first teaching job was at Ford City Elementary in 1927. She married Paul Shumaker in 1928 and was forced to resign her teaching position due to local prohibition of married female schoolteachers. Eventually, she taught in Sagamore, Sand Plant, McVille, Cadogan Slate Lick and Kittanning. She continued her formal education by earning her bachelor’s degree from Indiana State Teacher’s College in 1949, her masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in 1958 and 1965. In 1965, she held the position of Associate Professor in the School of Education at IUP. From 1966 until 1972, she was the Supervisor of Special Curriculum in the Armstrong School District. In 1968, the Greater Kittanning Jaycees honored her as the “Outstanding Educator of the Year.” In 1972, after thirty-five years of faithful service in the schools of Armstrong County, Peg retired. Peg and Paul had two sons, Paul and Bob, who still lives in Manorville.

FRANK ROBERT SKUKALEK, known professionally as Frank Roberts, was born in Ford City on October 24, 1920. After graduating form Holy Trinity Parochial School and Ford City High School, he worked for the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. While there, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a Court Reporter for Naval Intelligence. After his honorable discharge, he earned a B.A degree in Theatrical Arts under the tutelage of William B. deMille, brother of Cecil B. deMille, at the University of Southern California. He studied all types of dance and acted in several motion pictures for MGM and Paramount Studios with actors such as Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and Mickey Rooney. Eventually, he moved to New York City and appeared in Broadway shows, nightclubs and resort hotels. He also taught dance in the Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire Studios in New York. For many years, he appeared on the Arthur Murray TV show as a featured ballroom dancer. While dancing with his partner, Sheri Lynn, at Tavern on the Green in New York City, he was spotted by an executive of American Export Lines. The executive offered Frank and Sheri a contract to perform dancing aboard their resort ships, the SS Constitution and SS Independence. They made several trips through the Mediterranean, stopping frequently on the French and Italian Rivieras, Casablanca, Tangiers, Portugal and Naples. After performing for some time, Frank accepted a position as a cruise director for Moore MacCormack Cruise Lines. He was an immediate success. He did 35 day cruises aboard the SS Brazil and SS Argentina, sailing the winter months to the Caribbean and southern Atlantic ports such as Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. During the summer months, Frank’s voyages took him to ports in northern European countries such as Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Poland and Iceland. As cruise director, Frank planned all daylight activities and presented lectures and held discussions on all the nations about to be visited. On some ships, he conducted the Sunday Interfaith Church Services. He also planned the evening entertainment, often featuring his ninety minute one man show of his singing, dancing and comedy routines. In 1971, Frank moved to Florida and was employed by Commodore Cruise Lines as cruise director and entertainer aboard the MS Boheme for ten years. These cruises took him throughout the Caribbean. Appalled by the squalid poverty he witnessed in Haiti, Frank raised money and took the poor aboard his ship for medical services. His fund raising provided medicine, food, clothing and orthopedic aids and donated them to the afflicted through a group of Canadian nuns who operated a mission in the area. He also raised enough money to fund the digging of freshwater wells. Through a group called “Teen Missions,” he was able to have a building erected for orphans in Haiti. When the Boheme was sold, Frank went to work on the SS Queen Elizabeth II doing circumnavigation cruises around the World. Frank has literally been to every corner of the World in his travels. In 1969, Frank was awarded the key to the city of Leningrad for his efforts in promoting the free exchange of artists aboard ships and for sending American artist into Leningrad. He was also named the “Best Cruise Director” of 1975 by a Puerto Rican television station. Frank is now retired, but still does an occasional show and cruise in Florida. He maintains a home in Hollywood, Florida.

EDWARD STEINER was born in Ford City on May 6, 1911 to Julius and Emma Steiner. He attended Ford City’s public schools and the Carnegie Institute of Technology from which he earned an engineering degree in 1932. He then attained a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1935. Ed was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army Air Force in 1942, serving until October 1945 at which time he was honorably discharged at the rank of Major. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in the European Theater of Operations during World War Two. Ed practiced as an attorney in Kittanning since 1935. For a number of years, he served as the solicitor for Ford City Borough. He was instrumental in forming a committee to raise funds to build a home in Ford City for a disabled blind veteran wounded in World War Two. In 1968, he established the Mike Frick Memorial Scholarship at Ford City High School on the basis of scholarship and character, traits held by star athlete and outstanding student Mike Frick. Ed was the senior partner in the law firm of Steiner, Steiner and Associates and was active in local, state and national bar associations. Ed was active in community affairs for a number of years. He served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Ford City, a member of the Executive Board and crusade chairman of the Armstrong Unit of the American Cancer Society, past president of the Armstrong Chapter of the American Red Cross, board member of the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital, United Way and the Middle Armstrong County Industrial Development Organization. Ed was honored by the Ford City Lions Club as its Man of the Year, by the Kittanning B’nai Brith Lodge as its Man of the Year, by the Greater Kittanning Area Junior Chamber of Commerce as its Professional Man of the Year and by the Armstrong County Memorial Hospital with the Benjamin Rush Award for outstanding service. Ed t completed his sixty year of active scouting. He served as Troopmaster of Troop 622 in Ford City for ten years. He then served as President of the Pioneer Trails Council, one of the bodies that helps to comprise the Moraine Trails Council. He served as a member of the Executive Board of Region Three which covers parts of five states. The scouts have honored with the Distinguished Service Award in 1940, the Order of Merit in 1948, the Silver Beaver Award in 1950 and with the Silver Antelope Award in 1968. He has also received the Distinguished Citizen and Friend of Scouting Awards. Ed was married to Kay (Randall) Steiner. They had two sons, both of whom are Eagle Scouts; Jack, a partner in Ed’s law firm, and Steven, an ambassador in the U.S. State Department, and one daughter, Sally, who is a teacher in Maryland. Ed was a member of the Knesseth Israel Congregation.

FRANK “Red” SURAN contributed more than 38 years to the organizations to which he was devoted: Ford City PPG Credit Union, Ford Cliff Fire Hall and the Armstrong County Fireman’s School. He graduated from Ford City High School where he excelled athletically and academically. He made the FCHS football team as a freshman and started at guard for the next four years. He and his teammates “put Ford City on the sports record” by winning the county football championship for four straight years. One of Frank’s accomplishments was his help in establishing the Ford City PPG Credit Union. He and fourteen others chartered the institution on June 17, 1958. Frank served as the chairman of the credit committee from then until his death. He also served as the loan officer. Another institution that was dear to him is the Ford Cliff Fire Department, where he served thirty years. In his first year of membership, he was elected vice president and then treasurer. He was knowledgeable in planning and organizing fund raising projects for the fire company. Although the firemen have raised many of the funds for the building, trucks and equipment, “Red” credited the firemen’s Ladies Auxillary for their many projects and contributions. “Red” was also devoted to the Armstrong County Fireman’s Association. In 1961-1962, he served as its president. He served in every officer’s position and was a member of the executive board.

FRANK R. SWAST was an outstanding sports writer and organizer of most of the baseball, softball, bowling and basketball leagues throughout the Alle-Kiski Valley. He, at one time or another, served as President of all of them. He was the State Commissioner of the Semi-Professional Baseball Congress and conducted state tournaments in Kittanning and Vandergrift. He was the Assistant Administrator of Little League Baseball’s District Seven and was active in many different civic affairs. He is an inductee of the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame.

T. CHARLES “CHAPPIE” THOMAS was born in Byendale, Pennsylvania on May 15, 1908. His family moved to Chickasaw when he was a small boy so his father could work in the mines there. Later they moved to Cadogan where Chappie attended grade school. He attended Kittanning High School until his sophomore year when he was forced to quit school to take care of this family after his father was killed in a mine accident. On September 9, 1927,he went to work for PPG in Ford City, retiring in 1970 after 43 years of work. On October 1, 1927, he married Nettie Amanda Caldwell from Curwensville and made their residence in Ford City. They are the parents of Violet Wolfe of Millersburg, Ohio, Betty Jean Spencer of Dayton, Eugene of Waldoboro, Maine, Tom of Kittanning and Jack of Amityville, NY. They have twelve grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. Chappie was active in community affairs all of his adult life. At an early age he became a member of both the Boy and Sea Scouts in the Kittanning and Ford City areas during which time he earned the Order of the Arrow Award. In the mid Forties, Chappie became involved in water safety. He joined the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Red Cross Water Safety Program and in the following years became a certified water safety instructor trainer. He taught many of Armstrong County’s children how to swim and also coached the YMCA’s girls’ swim team which captured the Western Pennsylvania Girls’ Championship. In 1956, Chappie was recognized by PPG as its “Man of the Year” and was presented the community award citation for his service in the Kittanning and Ford City areas. In 1992, he received the Civic Award given by the Salvation Army. He was an active member of the United Church of Christ choir; the Ford City Heritage Choir and was a volunteer “red coat” for Armstrong County Memorial Hospital for over twenty years. He was a member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America and has sung with the Alle-Kiski Barbershop Chorus for twenty-seven years. He was a member of the Kittanning-East Brady Lodge 224 f & A.M, the New Castle Consistory and is an honorary member of Kittanning Hose Company #6 and a member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Kittanning. He passed away in May of 2001.

MATTHEW TIBBY, son of James and Eugenie Tibby, was born in 1895 and raised and educated in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1917, he joined the Oakmont Engineers of the United States Army because he believed “it was the right thing to do”. As a veteran of World War I, he was recently awarded the status of Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor, an award by the government of France for his service in the War. Of his war experience, Matt says “I wouldn’t take a million dollars for the experience, and I wouldn’t give a nickel to go through it again.”In 1923, Matt married the late Annie Margaret Ayres and they moved to Punxsutawney where they would raise three daughters that later gave them nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. In 1947, the Tibby family moved to Ford City where he went to work for People’s Bank. He was a very progressive banker in that he doubled the size of People’s Bank by purchasing and expanding into Cooper’s Clothing Store. Matt was also responsible for opening the Armstrong branch of People’s Bank in Manor Township. For more than twenty-five years, he helped Ford City Borough by funding many of its building projects. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Ford City and for twenty-five years was also active in the Kiwanis Club of Ford City. Upon retirement in 1972, he moved back to Punxsutawney, where he currently resides. Matthew Tibby is a charter member and commander of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Veterans of World War One Association. He is also a member and former officer of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

CHARLES A. TUREK, son of Edward and Caroline (Gallagher) Turek, was born in Ford City in December 10, 1949. He attended Holy Trinity Parochial School and graduated from Ford City high School in 1967. Entering the U.S. Army in 1969, he was sent to Vietnam and was wounded. He received three Purple Hearts. The severity of his wounds led to his medical discharge from the military discharge in 1970. Charles became very involved in para-sports, winning the Pitt Great Race in 1981. in 1983, he played basketball for the Pitt Steel Wheelers, a touring group of wheelchair athletes. In 1985, he became a member of the Psi Chi National Honor Society and in 1986 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 1991 he worked at the Hamarville Rehabilitation Center in Neuropsychological Evaluation of patients with head injuries. The following year he interned at the Veteran’s Administration Center in Buffalo, New York. In 1995, he was awarded his Doctorate in Psychology from I.U.P. He remains a courageous role model for the youth of today. Charles is married to the former Janice Neutrelle and they are the parents of Adam, Sarah and Emily. He is employed in the Rehabilitation Department in Floyd Medical Center, Cartersville, Georgia. The family resides in Cartersville.