Raymond Kuyat

Raymond Kuyat of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, formerly of Greensburg, peacefully made his transition on Tuesday, October 25 in Fort Lauderdale, after a brief illness.  He was born in the Johnstown borough of Brownstown, on July 14, 1927, to the late Edward Kuyat and Augusta “Gussie” (Yeskulka) Kuyat.  Upon graduation from Ferndale High School, he was drafted into the Army and stationed in various locations in Alaska, including Point Barrow at the Arctic Circle.  He later served stateside in the Korean War.  In between Army assignments, he worked at the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Reta Snodgrass.  In 1956, Ray and a co-worker at the Trib started their own business in Greensburg, West Penn Engraving, located next to St. Clair Park, where there is now a parking lot for the summer concerts.  In the late 1960s, Ray and Bob added a second business, Metalphoto Service, which continues today in the town of Wall, PA.   Ray was active in the local business community as a member of the Greensburg Chamber of Commerce and Rotary.  He was a lifelong member of the BPOE and American Legion.  Ray and Reta also were lifelong members of First Presbyterian Church in Greensburg, active in many areas of the church.  They welcomed their two children, Karen and Kurtis, in the late 1950s, and grandson Kyle in the 1990s, upon whom they doted.  Ray was an avid golfer, having started as a caddy at the age of 12.  He and his “foursome” (Ray, Ed, Don and Tel) enjoyed many years of golfing trips to Seven Springs, Pinehurst and Myrtle Beach.  His brother-in-law, Wes, often accompanied him as well.  After retirement, Ray and Reta were “snowbirds” in Florida for many years.  They enjoyed golfing and attending Karen’s many shows in south Florida.   Ray is predeceased by his loving wife Reta, sister Mildred (Kuyat) Goehres and brother Edward G. Kuyat, Jr.  He is survived by his daughter Karen (Kuyat) Nagy of Oakland Park, FL, son Kurtis Kuyat of Greensburg, grandson Kyle Kuyat of Spring Hill, TN, sister-in-law Shirley (Pecsenye) Kuyat of Johnstown and numerous loving nieces and nephews.  His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church in Greensburg. Rev. Martin Ankrum will preside. Burial will follow at Westmoreland Memorial Park with military honors accorded by South Greensburg American Legion Post 981.  Funeral accommodations provided through Kepple-Graft Funeral Home of Greensburg. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Greensburg Rotary, the Salvation Army, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, or a charity of one's choice.