Dec 12, 2013

Licensed pilot was WWII Army veteran

Thomas Philip Sierzega Sr., 84, of Masontown, passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2013, in UPMC-Montefiore hospital, Pittsburgh.

A son of the late Karol and Karolina Curaj Sierzega, he was born August 23, 1929, in Bessemer (Masontown), where he lived his entire life.

Mr. Sierzega served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation Medal-Japan. He was in the 11th Airborne Division of the Army and parachuted into Japan at the age of 17, where he landed in Hiroshima shortly after the dropping of the atomic bomb.

Before joining the Army, he drove a milk truck for DeBolt Dairy.

After leaving the Army, he worked at Robena Mine.

For years, he worked at the Federal Aviation Administration at Morgantown Airport. Before retirement, he worked as a high voltage electrician for Cumberland Mines for 20 years, where he was president of Local 2300.

Mr. Sierzega was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying his own plane when he wasn’t cruising the rivers in his boat.

He was a member of All Saints Roman Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 and Pal’s Club, all of Masontown.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Marie Margaret Hlatky Sierzega; a grandson, Tommy Sierzega; brothers and sisters Caroline Rossi, Stepan Gaza, Anne Dattoli, Julie Bennett and Edward Raymond Sierzega; a son-in-law, Andy Geary; and a daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Sierzega.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving children, Louise Anne Geary of Uniontown, Thomas Philip Sierzega Jr. and wife Debbie Watson of McMurray, Vivian Sierzega-Rouse and husband Michael Rouse of Woodbine, Md., Carl J. Sierzega and wife Deborah of Washington and Edward Raymond Sierzega of Hamilton, Va.; 17 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and sisters Josephine Bonessa of Masontown and Joyce Pisoni of Philadelphia.

Also surviving are many nieces and nephews who thought of him as their favorite uncle.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in John S. Maykuth Jr. Funeral Home, 7 River Avenue, Masontown, and until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 14, when a prayer service will be held in the funeral home chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Masontown site, (formerly All Saints), with the Rev. William G. Berkey as celebrant.

Interment follows in St. Agnes Cemetery, Masontown. Military rites will be accorded by Masontown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 and American Legion Post 423.