John Basalyga, Jr., of Monaca, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at Friendship Ridge, with his devoted wife at his side.
John was born in Ambridge on December 25, 1932, the eldest son of the late John Sr. and Ann (Krell) Basalyga. A 1950 graduate of Ambridge High School and Pittsburgh Technical Institute, he was a design Draftsman for American Bridge, Division of U.S. Steel, for 33 years. He also worked for Tensor Engineering in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, for 10 years after he retired from American Bridge. John also served in the U.S. Navy and the Naval Reserves for several years. As an employee of American Bridge, he received a monetary award from the Employee Suggestion Program calculating a formula for the shear bar connections for the U.S. Steel Building in Pittsburgh.
John was a member of the Monaca United Methodist Church. He coached in youth baseball when his sons played. He was a hard worker and great husband and father to his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, they were married October 10, 1953, Virginia Swartzwelder Basalyga; his sons, Jeffrey John (Barbara) of Columbia, Tennessee, James Jay (Donna) of Kincaid, Illinois, Jerald Jason of Center Township and Joel Jonathan (Melissa) of Brentwood, Tennessee; grandchildren, Philip John of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jacqueline Elaine of Columbia, Tennessee, Antoinette Marie of Center Township, and Alex James of Kincaid, Illinois. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert of Ambridge and Russell (Diana) of Industry, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 11th, at noon, at the funeral home. His pastor, Rev. David Vaughn, will officiate.
The family would like to thank the members of his church for their many thoughts and prayers, especially Rev. Vaughn and Mary Corless, Dr. William Ferri and his office staff for their compassion these last three years as they treated John with his illness, and Dr. Michael Heinle.
In lieu of flowers, if so desired, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor?s choice or the Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association, 3582 Brodhead Road, Suite 201, Monaca, PA 15061.
To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.