Oct 25, 2012

Clarence Cecchini, 92, of Burgettstown, formerly of Avella, died at 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, 2012, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township. He was born December 1, 1919, in Federal, son of the late Joseph and Oretta Flori Cecchini. Mr. Cecchini was a graduate of Avella High School. He was a member of Pentecost Lutheran Church of Avella. Because of his father’s untimely death in the Duquesne Mine, he went to work in the mines near Avella as a young teen. Mr. Cecchini proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a sergeant in the 824th Engineering Aviation Battalion during World War II. He was a member of Bert C. Siders American Legion Post 643 of Avella. After being honorably discharged, Mr. Cecchini worked for Alex Paris as a bulldozer operator and was also employed by Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp. at the coke plant in Follansbee, W.Va., for 30 years, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the United Steelworkers union. After retiring, he enjoyed woodworking and “loafed” at the Washington Mall and the family’s cabin at Lake Pymatuning. Mr. Cecchini was proud of his first-generation Italian heritage. He loved American cars, especially Ford and Mercury products. Mr. Cecchini had lived in Burgettstown since 1952. On February 19, 1949, he married Mildred Mlinarcik, who died November 16, 2010. Also surviving Mr. Cecchini are three sons, Clarence J. (Loretta) Cecchini of Burgettstown, Leslie F. (Ida) Cecchini of Cross Creek and Allen Cecchini of Burgettstown; five grandchildren, Melissa Jo (Joel) Duran, Dante (Brooke) Cecchini, Celeste (Arunas) Gaver, Maria (Alex) Fillo and Ondrej S. (Jessica) Cecchini; seven great-grandchildren, Acadia, Zydrunas, Natanas Tulio and Araceli Gaver, Alexzandrea Rumbaugh, Mihya Duran and Brandon Cecchini; a brother, Lee (Edith) Cecchini of Avella; and a sister, Dolores Malinky of Wellsburg, W.Va. Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, are three brothers, Elio, William (Nick) and Joseph (Tulio) Cecchini, and two sisters, Alice Sporka and Mary Margaret Cecchini. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Jerome A. Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., 18 Campbell Street, Avella, PA 15312, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 27, with the Rev. Scott Kuntz officiating. Burial will be in Independence Cemetery, Avella. Full military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Bert C. Siders Post 643 of Avella. Memorial contributions may be made to Pentecost Lutheran Church of Avella in care of Marc Cecchini, 2244 Avella Road, Avella, PA 15312.