1928
Harry
2015
Harry Pugh
November 13, 1928 — May 19, 2015
Harry Eugene Pugh, Sr. , 86, a 52 year resident of Youngwood, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2015.
Harry was born to M. Lucille and John Hiram Pugh, Jr in 1928 in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the home of his maternal grandparents, Harry and Martha Johnson Fye. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Martha and Carolyn and his granddaughter, Denise.
He was raised in the Tarentum/New Kensington area. His parents eventually settled in a homestead, on Murray Hill, Allegheny County. He graduated from Springdale High School in 1946 before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Harry served in the occupation of Japan following the end of WW2 after completing his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was discharged in December 1947. Following his discharge, Harry enrolled in school at Clarion Teachers College. He left school one semester shy of his graduation.
He met his wife of 63 years, Arletta C. Nichols, while visiting her brother, Norman, at their home. They married on March 1st, 1952 in Winchester, VA.
Harry and Arletta lived in Tarentum and Natrona Heights before settling in Youngwood. He retired from Kurtz Bros. in 1994. Harry was an avid golfer and a member of Valley Green Golf and Country Club. Harry enjoyed playing courses in Virginia, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. Harry was a two time winner of the Pennsylvania VFW golf tournament, held in Indiana, PA, in 1986 and 1991. In 1986, Harry also recorded the first of his two holes-in-one, with the second one occurring in 2003. He loved driving and having a beer at the local VFW Post 211, where he also served as post commander from 1990-92. Harry was a past town councilman for Youngwood Boro. Harry was a member of the Youngwood Elks, a member and president of the PA Bookmans Club in 1990, and was a 32nd degree freemason and past member of the Pollock Lodge No. 502, F & AM Tarentum.
He worked relentlessly, shared willingly and loved unconditionally throughout his life. He was totally dedicated to his family, who always came first, by being a great supporter, wonderful provider, loving dad and amazing granddad and great granddad.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by their five children; Janet of Sterling VA, Cynthia Kowalewski (David) of Langhorne PA, Harry, Jr. of Suffolk, VA, John (Gingre) of Greensburg PA and Jeffrey of Natrona Heights, PA, three grandchildren, David (Elizabeth) of VA, Alex of Wycombe PA and Kyle of Florida and one great granddaughter, Scarlett. He also is survived by his much loved maternal uncle, S. Eugene "Gene" Fye, brothers and sisters in law and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects Thursday, May 21 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg.
Additional viewing will be held in the funeral home on Friday from 9:30am until the time of service at 10:30am with Rev. Chris Whitehead officiating.
Interment will follow in St. Clair Cemetery with military honors provided by the Armbrust Veterans Association.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Harry was born to M. Lucille and John Hiram Pugh, Jr in 1928 in Strattanville, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the home of his maternal grandparents, Harry and Martha Johnson Fye. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Martha and Carolyn and his granddaughter, Denise.
He was raised in the Tarentum/New Kensington area. His parents eventually settled in a homestead, on Murray Hill, Allegheny County. He graduated from Springdale High School in 1946 before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Harry served in the occupation of Japan following the end of WW2 after completing his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was discharged in December 1947. Following his discharge, Harry enrolled in school at Clarion Teachers College. He left school one semester shy of his graduation.
He met his wife of 63 years, Arletta C. Nichols, while visiting her brother, Norman, at their home. They married on March 1st, 1952 in Winchester, VA.
Harry and Arletta lived in Tarentum and Natrona Heights before settling in Youngwood. He retired from Kurtz Bros. in 1994. Harry was an avid golfer and a member of Valley Green Golf and Country Club. Harry enjoyed playing courses in Virginia, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. Harry was a two time winner of the Pennsylvania VFW golf tournament, held in Indiana, PA, in 1986 and 1991. In 1986, Harry also recorded the first of his two holes-in-one, with the second one occurring in 2003. He loved driving and having a beer at the local VFW Post 211, where he also served as post commander from 1990-92. Harry was a past town councilman for Youngwood Boro. Harry was a member of the Youngwood Elks, a member and president of the PA Bookmans Club in 1990, and was a 32nd degree freemason and past member of the Pollock Lodge No. 502, F & AM Tarentum.
He worked relentlessly, shared willingly and loved unconditionally throughout his life. He was totally dedicated to his family, who always came first, by being a great supporter, wonderful provider, loving dad and amazing granddad and great granddad.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by their five children; Janet of Sterling VA, Cynthia Kowalewski (David) of Langhorne PA, Harry, Jr. of Suffolk, VA, John (Gingre) of Greensburg PA and Jeffrey of Natrona Heights, PA, three grandchildren, David (Elizabeth) of VA, Alex of Wycombe PA and Kyle of Florida and one great granddaughter, Scarlett. He also is survived by his much loved maternal uncle, S. Eugene "Gene" Fye, brothers and sisters in law and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects Thursday, May 21 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the KEPPLE-GRAFT Funeral Home 524 N. Main Street, Greensburg.
Additional viewing will be held in the funeral home on Friday from 9:30am until the time of service at 10:30am with Rev. Chris Whitehead officiating.
Interment will follow in St. Clair Cemetery with military honors provided by the Armbrust Veterans Association.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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