Henry L. Bacan

Henry L. Bacan, 84 of Carmichaels, Pa., died at 8:35 P.M. on Thursday, January 28, 2010 in Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, Waynesburg, Pa. He was born May 31, 1925 in Gates, German Township, Fayette County, Pa., a son of the late Steve and Mary (Miner) Bacan. Mr. Bacan attended German Township Elementary and High School and served with the U. S. Army during World War II in the South Pacific. He worked at the U. S. Steel Corporation Robena Mine first as a laborer and later as an assistant mine foreman until his retirement. While at the Robena Mine, Mr. Bacan served on the mine rescue team and was awarded a momento for his honorable service at the Robena #3 mine disaster on December 6, 1962. After retirement from the Robena Mine, he attended the National Mining Academy in Beckley, W. Va. where he became certified as a Federal Mine Inspector, a position he held for 10 years. Mr. Bacan also operated Bacan's Garage in Carmichaels for a number of years. Mr. Bacan was a past president of the now discontinued Solid Waste Authority of Greene County, a 31 year member, past president and 1996-1997 Lion of the Year of the Carmichaels Lions Club and former Director of the King Coal Association. He served 32 years on the Carmichaels Area Board of Education and as board president for several years. On October 16, 1995, he was awarded a distinguished service award by the Pennsylvania School Board Association for his years of service. Mr. Bacan was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 of Masontown, Pa. and was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Carmichaels where he served as an usher and taught Sunday school. On April 15, 1948, he married Betty Delaney, who died December 30, 1997. Surviving are a daughter, Betty Louise Russo and her husband, Ronald of Carmichaels; a son, Stephen E. Bacan and his wife, Eileen of Haymarket, Va.; seven grandchildren, Tricia A. Lohr and her husband, Jason, Tom Ricco and his wife, Carrie, Jeffrey Russo and his wife, Marianne, Renee Caldwell and her husband, Chad, Tim Bacan, Stephen Bacan and his wife, Cherie and Erin Bacan; several great grandchildren; a sister, Gertrude Horvat of Uniontown, Pa.; a son-in-law, Frank Ricco, Jr. of Carmichaels and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are a daughter, Judith A. Ricco and two brothers, Joseph Bacan and Edward Bacan. Family and friends are welcome from Noon to 3 and 6 to 8 P.M. on Sunday in the Yoskovich Funeral Home, Carmichaels, Pa. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 1, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church, Carmichaels. The Rev. Bruce R. Judy will officiate. Entombment will follow at the mausoleum at Greene County Memorial Park with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4584 according military honors. Carmichaels Lions Club will conduct a memorial service at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday in the funeral home. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to either the First United Methodist Church, 104 West South Street, Carmichaels, PA 15320 or to Medi Home Hospice, 168 West Chestnut Street, Washington, PA 15301.