Obituary of Michael James Harenchar

Richmond, Michael James Harenchar, age 86 of Richmond, VA, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday (05/27/2012) in the Westport Nursing Center, Richmond. Mr. Harenchar was born January 12, 1927 in Southwest, PA, the son of the late Paul and Mary Sikora Harenchar. He was a member of Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Richmond. Michael was a 1944 graduate of the former Hurst High School, where he was an excellent athlete, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. He was a World War II US Navy Veteran, serving from 1944-1946, first assigned to the Amphibious Support Forces and then stationed on the USS Venango involved in the battle during the invasion of Okinawa. He and his unit were then responsible for escorting Chinese prisoners back to Northern China. After his return home, he attended and then graduated from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA in 1952 with a degree in Accounting. His first job was with Koppers Co. in Pittsburgh, before moving to Robertshaw Controls Co in service training. He was employed by Robertshaw for 39 years, starting his career in Springfield, OH, followed by promotional moves to St. Louis, MO, Kankakee, Il, Chattanooga, TN, New Stanton, PA and finally to Robertshaw corporate offices in Richmond, VA before retiring in 1991 as Vice President of Marketing and Sales. During his career he traveled the country extensively and often spoke of his experiences of going from A to Z - Amarillo, TX to Zanesville, OH. Always one ready and willing to travel, Michael also visited a number of exciting international destinations, traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Prague, Czech Republic, Vienna, Austria, Budapest, Hungary and Glasgow, Scotland. Michael was a member of the Hermitage Country Club and was an avid golfer. He volunteered for the American Cancer Society, driving patients for chemotherapy treatments to the Medical College of Virginia several days a week for over 5 years. He was also a generous blood donor for the American Red Cross for more than 10 years. Michael is survived by his loving family: his wife of 56 years, Veronica Frederick Harenchar, his son, James J. Harenchar and his wife Stephanie of Richmond., and by his beloved grandchildren; Michael John "Jack" and Kate Harenchar. Mike is also survived by his brothers; Andrew Harenchar and his wife Margarite of Mt. Pleasant and Edward Harenchar of Hecla, and by numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his brother Paul Harenchar and by his sister, Elizabeth Harenchar DiRado. Family and friends will be received Wednesday from 10:30AM to 11:30AM at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant., where a blessing service will be held immediately following. Michael's Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00-noon in the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary RC Church with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment with full Military Rites accorded by the American Legion Post 446 will be in Visitation Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org To offer an online condolence please visit our web site at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com .