Obituaries—Vincent James Ricupero, Mary Josephine Orzechowski & Josephine Hastings Brown

Vincent James Ricupero

Vincent James Ricupero “Jim,” of Verona died on Friday, August 10, 2012 at the age of 84.

Jim was the dear husband of the late Carol Ann (Goetz) Ricupero; loving father of Carol (David) Thompson, Renè (Leo) Bickert, James (Marcy) Ricupero, Christine (John) Zuemie, and the late Mary Jo Stecik.; father-in-law of Joseph Stecik; grandfather of Tara (Josh) Sprajcar, Brianna and Ryan Thompson, Brittany (Joe) Verzinskie, Matthew and Corey Bickert, John and Garrett Ricupero; great-grandfather of Nathan, Jacob, Joseph, and Lucia; brother of the late Donald Ricupero. 

Mr. Ricupero was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a WWII Navy Veteran.  He served on the Democratic Committee in Verona and also served on the Verona School Board.  He initiated the State Deputy Sheriff’s Association and was elected President in September of 1985; he was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Fugitive Squad 1997-2005, retiring on July 6, 2005.  At the time of his retirement, Jim was still serving on the executive board of Deputy Sheriff’s Association for the state of PA.  Mr. Ricupero was an officer at the Allegheny County Sheriff’s office for 45 years, served as a special investigator on the Judiciary Inquiry review board for the state of Pennsylvania, also served as undercover security for the Presidents of the United States when visiting PA. 

Jim was a recipient of the Domenic T. Roppa award, from the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, for outstanding work in public service and was a charter member of the Verona Eagles where he belonged for over 50 years. 

Friends and relatives will be received at the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC. 421 Allegheny Ave. Oakmont on Sunday, August 12, 2012 and Monday, August 13, 2012 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 10 am. In St. Joseph Catholic Church, Verona. 

The family suggest memorials to Verona Public Safety, c/o The Verona Borough Bldg., 736 E. Railroad Ave. Verona, PA  15147.

Mary Josephine Orzechowski

Mary Josephine, of O’Hara Twp., formerly of Oakmont, died Friday evening August 10, 2012, at the age of 59, with her family at her side.

Mary Jo was the beloved wife of Walt K. Orzechowski of 36 years; dear mother of Jarrett D, Kelly C. and Molly K. Orzechowski; dear daughter of Mary Jane Barranco Kelly and the late Joseph Kelly Sr.; sister of Joseph L. Kelly Jr., John V. Kelly and Lee W. ( Sharon) Kelly; also many nieces , nephews and cousins.

Mary Jo received her BS in nursing in 1974 from the University of Pittsburgh and Masters at LaRoche in personal Administration. Until her illness she was employed at Cigna Health as a disability claims Manager. She loved her children , family and friends. Mary Jo will be remembered as never having the word no in her vocabulary.

Friends and relatives will be received at BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION &ALTERNATIVE SERVICES INC. 421 Allegheny Avenue, Oakmont , Sunday from 7-9 and Monday from 2-4, 7-9 pm A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday at 11:30 am. in St. Irenaeus Catholic Church, Oakmont.

The Family suggests memorials to St. Irenaeus Catholic School Angel fund, 637 Fourth Street, Oakmont, PA, 15139

Josephine Hastings Brown

Following a major stroke, Josephine Hastings Brown passed away in her home at Longwood at Oakmont surrounded by her family and friends on Friday, August 10, 2012.  She was 86 years old.

Judy, as she was known to all, was born in Haverford, PA. She attended The Friends School, Agnes Irwin School, Emma Willard in Troy, NY, and graduated with a degree in physics from Smith College in 1948.

In 1951 Judy married Edward A. Brown III of Gary, IN. For over 60 years they shared a full and active life together, in Pittsburgh, Berwyn and Fox Chapel.  In addition to spending time with her family, Judy loved volunteering for Shadyside Hospital, Shadyside Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder, The Fruit and Flower Mission, Kingsley House, Harmarville Rehabilitation Center and The Junior League. She was the oldest member of the Allegheny Chapter of The Colonial Dames of America. She loved the outdoors, gardening, golfing and traveling.

For many years, Judy and her husband summered at their home “The Sounds” in Southwest Harbor, Maine.  It was in Maine that she most loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren, siblings, many nieces and nephews and countless friends.  She especially enjoyed hiking in Acadia National Park, golfing at The Causeway Club and boating on “Boomer”.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her four children: Edward IV of Medford, MA, and his wife Susan Spector, Josephine “Jody” Schantzenbach and her husband Scott, of Oxford, NJ, Leslie Leathersich and her husband Lew of Beverly, MA, and Jennifer Worcester and her husband Scott of Southwest Harbor, ME.  She is also survived by two of her three brothers: John V.Hastings III of Lafayette, California, and Edward E. Hastings of Villanova, PA.  Her grandchildren Rebecca, Josie, Emily, Jack, Clare, Ted and Hannah, and her great grandson Brayden will sorely miss “Granny”.  “Aunt Judy” was always a favorite of her many nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service celebrating Judy’s life will be held at Shadyside Presbyterian Church at 10am on August 25th.  She will be interred in Forest Hills Cemetery on Mount Desert Island, Maine in a private ceremony. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hanna Health Care Center Staff Enrichment Fund at Longwood, Verona PA, 15147 or to The Southwest Harbor Library, Southwest Harbor, Maine, 04679. 

Arrangements were made by BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC. Oakmont, 412-828-3535.