John R. “Jumbo” Stas, 84, of Unity Township, died Tuesday, April 24, 2018, at St. Anne Home, Greensburg. He was born Aug. 1, 1933, in Hostetter, a son of the late John M. and Mary Ann (Menarcheck) Stas.
He was a graduate of Hurst High School, class of 1952, and was a highly recruited football player, being offered 37 scholarships to top ranked colleges and universities. He was a devoted husband to the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Ethel, devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle. Jumbo was the first Unity Township midget football coach for the Red Devils.
He was a lifetime member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Whitney, its Holy Name Society and church usher. He served as the primary advocate for the purchase of additional acreage for the church. He was employed by Vulcan Mold and Iron for 38 years, 35 years as a hot metal ladle crane operator.
He took great pride and cherished his family, enjoyed farming and helping friends. He was a longtime member of UAW Local 758, where he served as a union steward, on the negotiating committee and was one of the three advocates to save the members pensions when the company closed. The pensions were saved!
Afterward, Jumbo was elected Unity Township supervisor for one six year term before retirement. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel M. (Hudak) Stas; a son, Daniel J. Stas; sisters, Martha Uhring and Margaret Dlugos; and brothers, Stephen and Joseph Stas. He is survived by six sons, John M. and wife, Valorie, of Acme, Robert E. and wife, Lynn, of Burlington, N.C., Thomas R. and wife, Ellen, of Latrobe, David J. and wife, Robin, of Martinsburg, W.Va.
, Benedict J. and wife, Lori, and Donald D. Stas and wife, Jessica, all of Latrobe; three daughters, Diane C. Holnaider and husband, Bruno II, Marian E. Ferlin and husband, Michael, and Ethel E. Palombo Hess, all of Latrobe; 27 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph Dlugos, Theresa Stas and Michael Hudak and wife, Phyllis; and a multitude of nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC. , 2072 Route 130, Pleasant Unity.
Prayers will begin at 11:50 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. in St. Cecilia Catholic Church with the Rev. James F. Podlesny, OSB, as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, Unity Township.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Anne Home Memorial Fund, 685 Angela Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601, St. Cecilia Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 80, Whitney, PA 15693 or to Clelian Heights School, 202-298 Alberta Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601. www. bachafh.com.
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