Stanley Blecharz Jr.

Stanley Blecharz, Jr., 82, of Ross Township, died Sunday February 24, 2019, after bravely battling a long illness. Born May 14, 1936 in New Kensington, PA, he was the son of Stanley Blecharz, Sr. and Margaret (Rusiewicz), both of New Kensington. Stan earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Penn State University in 1958. He worked the entirety of his 42-year career with the H.J. Heinz Company, beginning as an engineer in 1960, and moving into management till his retirement in 2002. After starting in Pittsburgh, he was transferred to Caracas, Venezuela, then served as production manager (Pittsburgh factory), factory manager (Salem, NJ), and in several capacities at headquarters, including manager of packaging purchasing for Heinz USA. Unceasingly curious, Stan was a voracious reader, a student of sourdough bread-baking, a custom framer, amateur photographer, wine aficionado, and happy summer resident on Chautauqua Lake, NY. He was often found in bookstores and libraries, and was an early champion of Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene. Stan’s most enduring interest, however, was in high fidelity sound produced from classic vinyl recordings. Countless friends, acquaintances and family members were treated to the glories of home-based audio as he played high-end recordings of Frank Sinatra, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and Antonio Carlos Jobim among an array of classical, jazz, and pop artists. His life-long love of music was extraordinary. No stereo ever sounded so good. Stan is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Nancy Bears Blecharz; loving daughters Holly (Kevin) Carr & Kathy (Eric) Emmons; brother and best friend William (Judith) Blecharz; grandchildren Janell Carr, Bethany (Matthew) Sytsema, Meg (Josh) Van Dyke, Andrew (Nicole) Carr, Anna & Katelyn Rose Emmons; great-grandchildren Diandre Carr, Eden & Cade Sytsema, Julianna & Madelyn Van Dyke, Addison Carr; and nephew Richard Blecharz. Friends received Thursday, February 28th from 2-4pm & 6-8pm at Simons Funeral Home, Inc., 7720 Perry Highway. www.simonsfuneralhome.com A funeral service will be held on Friday, 10:30am, at Memorial Park Presbyterian Church, 8800 Peebles Road. Contributions may be made to the Cancer Center at Allegheny General Hospital.

Stanley Blecharz Jr.

May 14, 1936 - February 24, 2019