Simon C. O'Barto
July 31, 1923 — January 15, 2010
Simon "Si" C. O'Barto, Sr., 86, of Latrobe, died Friday, January 15, 2010, at his home with his wife and family by his side.
Born July 31, 1923 in Lloydsville, the son of the late Charles and Agnes (Lencofsky) O'Barto.
A member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Latrobe, he was a graduate of Latrobe High School, a graduate of St. Vincent College and Michigan State University where he received an MBA. He was a veteran of World War II serving as a lead navigator in the Flying Fortress. He retired as a Lt. Col.
He was a Justice of the Peace for Unity Township, a retired fireman and past president of the Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Department, a retired member and past president of the Lloydsville Sportsman's Association; a past president and member the of St. Vincent Alumni Association; past president of St. John's Parish Council; life member of BPOE and past president of it's SIRS.
His entire work career was in the cemented carbide industry. Metallurgical manager of Newcomer Products, as plant manager of Kennametal's Chestnut Ridge plant, quality manager of Firth Sterling Inc; plant manager of Kennametal's Detroit Plant and several other assignments in the carbide industry.
In addition to his wife of 64 years, Mary I. (McDowell) O'Barto, he is survived by his daughters M. Vaneeda Bennett and husband, Robert of Springfield, Virginia, Kathy Monticue, Latrobe, Michelle Keys and her husband Frank, Latrobe, his son Simon and his wife Christine of Michigan and his daughter Robin Stewart of Latrobe.
His grandchildren include Heidi Lesko, Heather Towers, Angela Klapchar, Suzette Weinell, Megan Trice, Danielle Keys, Tom McKee III, Katie McKee, Simon O'Barto III, Gino O'Barto, Jacob Stewart and Nick Stewart. Great grandchildren are Cody Weinell, Courteney Weinell, Trey Weinell, Mitchell Lesko, Mathew Lesko, Gabrielle Lesko, Gavin Towers, Sydney Towers, Jax Klapchar, Duke Klapchar, Isabel Trice and Kaleb Trice and Grady Ruffner. His sisters Waldena O'Barto of Bethesda Maryland and Sally Pipak and her husband, Richard. Family and friends received Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Frederick Funeral Home, Inc. 1543 Ligonier Street, Latrobe, PA 15650, from 6-8 PM, and Sunday, January 17, 2010 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. The St. John the Evangelist Rosary Society will recite the Rosary, Sunday at 2:30 PM in the Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 18, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Church at a 11:00 AM.
Interment will follow at St. Vincent Cemetary, Unity Twp. Military honors will be provided at graveside by VFW Post 33 of Greensburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Evangelist Parish, Building Fund, 306 St. John Drive, Latrobe, PA 15650 or Excela Health Home Care and Hospice, 134 Industrial Park, Suite 1600, Greensburg, PA 15601.