Thomas M. Rechichar, 87, of Monessen, died Sunday, July 11, 2010 in Hallsworth House, Monessen. He was born in Clarksville, PA on March 7, 1923, the son of the late Paul and Mary Ann (Tomesko) Rechichar. Tom grew up in Rostraver Twp. and was a 1940 graduate of Rostraver High School. Following high school, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Marine Corp during WWII, and was assigned to duty over seas in the South Pacific. At the age of 19, Corporal Thomas Rechichar and another Marine were cited for heroism by General Ralph J. Mitchell for unselfish devotion to duty during a Japanese shelling of a base. After the war, Tom enrolled at St. Vincent College on the G.I. Bill. During college he lettered in football and baseball, and graduated with honors in 1949 with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. In 1994, Mr. Thomas M. Rechichar was honored to receive the "Letterman of Distinction" award from St. Vincent College. Mr. Rechichar retired from Nationwide Insurance Company, where he worked as an insurance adjuster and District Claims Manager over seeing the McMurry and Monroeville offices. He had also served as a member of the Nationwide Insurance Catastrophic Team during Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew.Tom was an active member of the Monessen community and a member of the Monessen School Board for 22 years, serving as president in 1994, and as the representative to the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. He was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 954, Monessen Elks 773, Mon Valley Leathernecks, and V.F.W. Post 1190. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eva (Cicciolone) Rechichar, son Thomas D. Rechichar of Southport, NC, three grandsons, Thomas D. II, Patrick and Briggs Rechichar, a brother, Bert Rechichar and a sister Helen Estok, both of Rostraver Twp., a sister-in-law, Ann Burdock and husband Ed of Monessen, and by nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Robert "Bobby" Rechichar, five brothers, Frank, Steve, Paul, John, and Martin Rechichar, and by two sisters, Mary Lux and Katherine Indof.Friends will be received on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. in the Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Avenue Monessen, (724-684-8750).Services will be held on Wednesday, July 14, 2010, beginning with a 9:30 am Blessing in the funeral home, followed by a 10:00 am Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Monessen. PLEASE NOTE: THE REED AVE. VIADUCT BRIDGE IS CLOSED. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas M. Rechichar, please visit our flower store.