Anthony Joseph ‘Tony’ Pikulski Sr.
Anthony Joseph ‘Tony’ Pikulski Sr., age 86 years, of Footedale, Pennsylvania passed away quietly at his daughter’s home surrounded by his Family on Thursday, June 2, 2011 after a very courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was born on Saturday, June 7, 1924 in Footedale, Fayette County, Pennsylvania the son of John Pikulski and Agnes (Pietras) Pikulski.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Patricia (Burke) Pikulski; a granddaughter, Toni Ann Pikulski; two brothers, John Pikulski and Louis Pikulski; and sisters, Mary Testa, Helen Dupey and Sophie Wilseck.
He is survived by his three children and their families: Anthony Pikulski Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Morgantown, West Virginia and their two children J a c q u e l i n e and Patrick; Anita McNeill and her husband Michael of Perryopolis, Pennsylvania and their children Patricia McNeill and Amanda Beaumont and her husband Adam; Veronica Kutek and her husband Ronald of New Salem, Pennsylvania and their three children, April, Autumn and Ronald; one brother, Joseph Pikulski (Mary) of Ypsilanti, Michigan; sisters-in-law: Angela Pikulski Vera Pikulski, Pauline Gaffey, Victoria Dehanis and Marie Burke; and many nieces and nephews.
‘Tony’ was a devoted lifetime member of the Saint Thomas Roman Catholic Church in Footedale and an active volunteer. He took care of the cemetery, cleaned the fish pond, helped build the Saint Maximilian Kolbe shrine and served as an unofficial tour guide to visitors.
He was a member of the Holy Name Society, a social member of the Footedale Fire Department, Charter Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, C h a p t e r President of the local Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, and served on the Advancement Committee, Boy Scouts of America Troop 692 in New Salem, Pennsylvania.
‘Tony’ was a United States Army Corporal during World War II and served on the Mariana Islands on Tinian and Saipan. He was on Tinian Island when the first atomic bomb was launched Monday, August 6, 1945, carried by the Enola Gay. He served under Dr. Major Lepore, personal doctor to President Herbert Hoover.
After his time in the service, he worked briefly for the N a v y D e p a r t m e n t in Washington, D.C.
He worked at the Preparation Plant at Robena Coal Mine in Greene County, Pennsylvania for 35 years. He was a member of the Mine Rescue Team for several of those years and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).
‘Tony’ realized a lifelong dream and traveled to Poland where he visited the villages of his parents and met his Polish relatives.
While in Europe, he had the privilege of retiring the flag at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France, an honor reserved for veterans.
‘Tony’ was a most beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, fondly known as ‘Papa’ to many.
He worked hard his entire life, loved his church, cherished his family, and was proud of his Polish heritage.
He enjoyed the outdoors, visiting new places, and local history. He was never without his camera!
He struck up a conversation wherever he went and touched the lives of all who knew him.
His love, strength, and dependability were the heart of our family. We will forever miss his twinkling eyes, his humor, and his stories. We take comfort knowing he is at peace and reunited with his beloved Patty.
We have another angel watching over us.
Friends will be received in DEARTH FUNERAL HOME, New Salem, Pennsylvania today after 7 p.m., Monday, June 6, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 until 10:30 a.m. when brief Prayers will be said in the Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. in Saint Thomas Roman Catholic Church, Footedale, with the Reverend Father Peter L. Peretti as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in the S a i n t T h o m a s Church Cemetery, Footedale.
General George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103 of Hopwood, Pennsylvania will accord Military Rites and Honors at the gravesite.
Parish Wake Service will be held in the Funeral Home on Monday at 7:30 p.m.