Ralph Swantek – Belle Vernon

Ralph Swantek, 87, of Belle Vernon, Washington Township, passed away Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, at North Strabane Retirement Village, Canonsburg. Born Dec. 6, 1931, in Monongahela, he was the son of the late John and Anna Paulick Swantek. A resident of Belle Vernon for the past 52 years, Mr. Swantek was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, Belle Vernon, and was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the U.S. Air Force. Ralph was a retired superintendent of mechanical shops at Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, Monessen plant, with 27 years of service. After his retirement he was employed at Bailey Engineers, Washington, Pa., with four years of service. He was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 where he received a certificate for being the oldest living member of the Post, Belle Vernon Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 209, VFW Belle Vernon Post 699, Russian Club of Pricedale, Charleroi Elks No. 494, Friday night Fairhope Bowling League, Belle Vernon American Legion Bowling League, Springdale Golf League, Uniontown. He was an avid golfer, winning numerous championships over the years in Western Pennsylvania and also enjoyed bowling most of his life. He was also a graduate of Penn State University, McKeesport campus, with a degree in mechanical engineering. He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Joanne Swantek of Coraopolis; daughter and son-in-law, Maryann Swantek and husband Antonio Ubaldo of East Rutherford, N.J.; two grandchildren, Michael Swantek, Christina Swantek and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Caputo Swantek; three brothers, William, John and Joseph Swantek; and two sisters, Irene Ruff and Mary Swantek in infancy. Private family visitation was held Thursday, Sept 5, 2019, at PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS, Family Owned and Operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-6183, followed by funeral Mass at St. Sebastian RC Church with the Rev. Michael Crookston as celebrant. Interment took place in Belle Vernon Cemetery with military honors. The Family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Ralph Swantek to Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwariorproject.org,1-855-448-3997. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.