John Kitcey, 99, of Fairview, erie. co, Pa.
passed away on Monday, September 22, 2014, at Pleasant Ridge Manor.
He was born October 16, 1914, in Calumet, Pa., Westmoreland County, a son of the late Peter and Julia Matsko Kitcey.
John enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in October of 1941. He was later deployed to Iceland, where his unit set up the first Radar Installation for the Allied Forces. He was later deployed to the European Theatre of Operations, where he served as Sgt. with the 3502nd Army Air Force Base. Upon his discharge from the military in 1945, John returned home and married Ellen K. Nielsen on May 4, 1946 in Erie, and later moved to Fairview, where they resided the remainder of their lives.
He began working at Marx Toy's as a young man, prior to his military career, and when arriving home returned to work there again, retiring from the company following 42 years of service as a Group Leader.
He was a member of S.S. Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church in Girard, and the in Fairview, and the Tri Boro Senior Center.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ellen, on March 31, 2009; also by two sisters, Antoinette Schultz and Ann Kitcey; and four brothers, Andrew, Sam, Alex and Frank Kitcey.
He will be greatly missed by his family, which includes his daughter, Karen Cobucci and her husband Gene of Girard; a son, Thomas J. Kitcey of Fairview; a brother, Edward Kicey; four grandchildren, Kristin Kramer (Mark), Christopher Cobucci (Kathleen), Thomas Kitcey (Jessica), Keri Gerstenslager (Chip); seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East, Girard, and are invited to attend a Prayer Service there on Saturday at 10 a.m., with Fr. John Mihalco officiating.
Burial will be in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to S.S. Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Church, 1022 Tilden Ave., Girard, PA 16417, or to the Tri-Boro Senior Center, 7555 W. Ridge Rd., Fairview, PA 16415.
John's family would like to express their gratitude to the staff on Unit J, at Pleasant Ridge Manor, for the exceptional care he received while a resident there.