Michael A. O’Leary, 68, of Gardeau Rd., Emporium, PA passed away peacefully at Guy & Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, PA on Sunday night (April 2, 2023).
He was born February 13, 1955 in St. Marys, PA a son of the late Charles and Marie Erhensberger O’Leary. In 1993 he married he married Lynne Schultz, who survives.
Mike graduated from Cameron County High School and then from technical school to become an electrician. He worked at Emporium Contracting, Crosby Contracting and then was a co-owner of Custom Contracting and Tile with Scott Baker.
Mike had a big laugh and smile that could light up a room according to his wife, Lynne. He loved riding motorcycles until an unfortunate encounter with a turkey and then a deer. He then shifted his interest to less dangerous tractors. He loved his dogs, and he loved sitting on his porch in Gardeau watching the deer and the wildlife.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a brother, John E. “Salty” Solveson (Mary), Emporium and a sister, Sally Mumford (John), Jersey Shore, PA.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be No Visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Marks Catholic Church, 235 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA on Friday, April 14, 2023 at 3:00 PM with Rev. Paul S. Siebert, as Celebrant.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Cameron County SPCA, 678 South Mountain Rd., Emporium, PA 15834
George Duke addressing guests at the dedication of Pitt-Bradford’s new engineering and information technologies building, which is named in his honor.
From left, Rick Esch, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, George B. Duke, owner of Zippo Manufacturing Co., and State Rep. Martin Causer celebrate the dedication of the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building at Pitt-Bradford Friday.
Photos by Glenn Melvin
BRADFORD, PA – April 3, 2023–If the presence of hundreds of local industry executives at the dedication of the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building on Friday didn’t make it clear, then the building’s namesake did: local industry sees itself as a partner with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in the technical training of professionals that they need to maintain and advance their businesses
Duke, the owner and chairman of Zippo Manufacturing Co., pledged $2 million to Pitt-Bradford last year to equip the new building’s ultramodern engineering labs with the best and newest of everything students need to learn, test and build.
The $24.5 million building, with its labs full of precision measuring and automation devices, 3D printers, a plasma cutter, CNC milling machines and lathes, fluid dynamics systems, strength of materials testers, and state-of-the-art electronics measurement systems has made two new majors possible: mechanical engineering technology and energy engineering technology.
Duke said that when Zippo made its pledge, the company’s President and CEO Mark Paup said to him, “We can make this very cool. Let’s think about this as a collaboration with Pitt-Bradford. … Zippo wins. The university wins.”
Zippo is eager to see Pitt-Bradford mechanical engineering technology students at work as interns and show them the possibilities of working in Bradford. Other area industries that supported the project financially are just as eager to work with interns and graduates, including KOA Speer Electronics Inc., American Refining Group, Northwest Bank, Control Chief Corp. and Napoleon Engineering Services.
Duke explained why industries are hungry for engineers.
“Our equipment wears out. The pieces that come in [to replace them] are very, very complicated, and they take engineers to keep running, and that’s not just at Zippo.”
Other speakers included Chris Napoleon ’86-’88, owner of Napoleon Engineering Services in Olean, N.Y., who said he saw supporting the building financially as an investment.
Napoleon said that at the start of his career, former engineering faculty Dr. August Freda and Dr. Ronald Mattis were teaching at Pitt-Bradford.
“They invested their time and energy in me for two years, [and eventually] Pitt’s investment [in me] enabled the creation of a business,” he said. “My coworkers and I are thankful to be a part of this project with a real return on investment. … It all starts with filling this awesome space with awesome students.”
In addition to making two new engineering technology programs possible, the Duke Building is the home to one of Pitt-Bradford’s most popular and successful majors, the computer information systems and technology program, another vital program for area employers seeking to hire technical workers. For the information technology program, the Duke Building has a new virtual reality lab and a systems, networks and projects lab as well as the most up-to-date classrooms.
“This is a second-to-none facility,” Duke said. People will be banging the doors to get in this place.”
Other speakers for the dedication included Dr. Ann E. Cudd, provost and senior vice chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh; State Sen. Cris Dush; State Rep. Martin T. Causer ’96; Pitt-Bradford President Richard T. Esch ’93, Dr. Matt Kropf, director and designer of the new engineering and technology programs; and Mychal Berlinski, a junior energy engineering technology student from Allegany, N.Y.
Following speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the hundreds of guests were able to visit the labs, talk with students and current faculty, and see some of the machinery in action, including scene-stealing CNC lathes that students were using to create light metal bottle openers. Large windows on the sides of the machine allowed guests to watch the process as it happened.
In a crowd full of engineers, several reminisced about their own schooling as they admired the new lab equipment.
One of the visitors was former professor Mattis, who retired after 36 years of teaching engineering at Pitt-Bradford in 2021, just before ground was broken on the Duke Building.
“It’s great to see it done, and you can tell how excited people are,” he said. “It really helps complete the campus.”
At 2:28nPM on Monday, Mt. Jewett Fire Dept. & Ambulance with Medic 5 dispatched for a land rescue of a male trauma victim near 1875 Burning Well Road in Sergeant Township.
AUSTIN, Pa.—Lois C. VanWhy, 90, a longtime resident of Austin, PA passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Cole Manor, Coudersport.
Born on Sunday, December 11, 1932 in Wharton, she was a daughter of Roy and Martha Bair Logue. She was married to James “Jim” VanWhy, who predeceased her.
Lois was a graduate of Austin Area High School. In her early working years, Lois was employed by Sylvania in Emporium and also worked in various local establishments, including Ginzo’s Game Room in Austin. For many years Lois was employed as a cafeteria lady in Austin. She then was employed at Coudersport Head Start until her retirement.
Lois was a member of the Austin United Methodist Church. She was an extremely active life member of the Austin Volunteer Fire Department where she was a first responder in her early years and in later years was one of their most active social members. She had previously served as President of the Board of Directors of the department. She spent many Saturday nights chairing, working, or playing Bingo. She worked nearly every fundraiser and also loved running the annual yard sale with her good friend, Ruby.
She loved all the members of the fire department and their families too. She was fondly known by the “kids” of the fire department and also the many students she touched the lives of at the school, as “Gramma Lo”. She truly had a way of making each and every one of them feel special. Lois’s greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren, and also loved spending time with her friend, Robin.
Left to cherish her memory are two sons, William “Bill” Wheaton of Spokane, Washington and Darren C. (Carla) VanWhy of Coudersport; four grandchildren, Shelly (Dale) Peters of Emporium, Gabrielle Helberg of Port Allegany, Nicholas (Kina) VanWhy of Houtzdale, and Connor (Kristen) VanWhy of Chattanooga, TN; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Harry Richard (Mary Jane) Logue of Sinnemahoning; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lois was predeceased by a daughter, Amy; two sisters, Phylis Hudson and Jettie Bickford; and a brother, Jack Logue.
Family and friends may call from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Austin United Methodist Church, Turner Street, Austin where a memorial service will follow at 6pm with Pastor Todd Lamer, officiating. Private burial will be in Gilmore Cemetery next to her husband, Jim, and her beloved daughter, Amy.
Memorials may be made to Austin Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 328, Austin, PA 16720.
Lois’ family has entrusted her care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Lois, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.
Wellsville Police arrested Kelley A. Chase, age 33 of Wellsville, charging her with Petit Larceny. The charge stems from an incident that took place at Tops on March 31st. Chase also had a Bench Warrant issued by the Wellsville Village Court for failure to appear in Court on January 17th on previous AUO 2nd and other vehicle and traffic charges and an Arrest Warrant for Petit Larceny and Trespass for an incident that took place at 7 Eleven on February 8th. Chase was processed and arraigned before Wellsville Village Justice Thompson on all charges. Chase was committed to the Allegany County Jail on $1,000.00 cash bail or $2,000.00 property bond or $5,000.00 partially secured bond. Chase is due back in Wellsville Village Court on April 18th at 4:30 pm.
(Pictured: Rotarian Jim Babcock, Sydnee Groenendaal, and Rotary President Lynne Ruffner)
Rotarians were very happy to have Sydnee Groenendaal, Mobile Drive Coordinator of the Community Blood Bank visit Coudersport Rotary Club at A&W West End Grill on March 20, 2023. The organization is a non-profit, which was established in 1966. Sydnee explained 52% of the United States population is eligible to donate, but currently only 3% do (it used to be 5%). and there are no synthetic blood products available. If you are interested in donating, please call ahead at 814-456-4206.
(Pictured: Rotarian Pat Northeimer, Students: Stella Bray, Savannah Gill, Brooke Tubbs, Alyssa Dunn; and Coudersport Jr/Sr High School Teacher Heather Sherry)
Coudersport Rotary Club was very pleased to host four Coudersport Jr/Sr High School contestants for the Rotary Four Way Test Speech Contest on March 27, 2023.
The First contestant was Brooke Tubbs and her topic was “Music Programs Are An Important Part of a Well-Rounded Individual.” She tied the tenets of the 4-Way Test into her speech. Brooke placed 1st and was awarded $100.
The second contestant was Stella Bray and her topic was “Outdoor Living.” Stella placed 3rd and was awarded $50.
Our third contestant was Alyssa Dunn and her topic was Volunteerism in Fire Service.” Alyssa placed 4th and was awarded $25.
Our fourth contestant was Savannah Gill and her topic was “Stereotypes.” She tied the tenets of the 4-Way Test into her speech. Savannah placed 2nd and was awarded $75.
Brooke Tubbs will move on to compete in the Rotary Regional Four Way Test Speech Contest in May.
Daniel R. Jackson, 47, of Salamanca, NY passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Born December 1, 1975, in Bradford, he is the son of Daniel R. Johnson and Kathryn D. Jackson. He was adopted and raised by Bernard and Thelma (Griffin) Jackson.
Dan was a 1994 graduate of Salamanca High School, where he excelled in football and lacrosse. During high school he was a Boy Scout and was two merit badges short of receiving his Eagle Scout Award.
He was formerly employed at Dallas-Morris Drilling, Keane Drilling, and most recently as a pipeliner for the International Brotherhood of Laborers Local 603.
Dan enjoyed fishing and was an avid Raiders fan.
Surviving in addition to his parents, is his longtime companion, Diane Jusko, three daughters, Cheyenne Jackson, Jocelyn Martin, and Francesca Jackson, one son, Christopher Jackson, five sisters, Christine Jackson, Jennie Johnson Petitt, Kimberly Jackson Smith, Billie Lynn McGraw, and Heather Hahn, three brothers, Timothy Jackson, Bernard Jackson Jr., and Robert Reid, and many nieces and nephews.
Family will receive friends on Thursday April 6, 2023, from 11:00 AM to Noon in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, Inc. 33 South Ave. in Bradford, followed by funeral services Noon, with Rev. John Jacquel, Pastor of St. Bernard Church, officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery Limestone, NY.
Memorial contributions if desired, may be made to Futures Inc., or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Are you an agricultural producer or own a small business?
You may qualify for various federal and state energy efficiency programs. These programs may include grants, rebates, loans, or tax incentives. Extension Educators will provide guidance on programs such as the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, and tax credits for renewable projects.
Extension Educators, joined by a representative from USDA, will provide information about what might qualify for these programs, timelines, and application processes. Some programs can be combined for maximum savings at the project’s onset and overtime from efficiency measures put in place.
The webinar will take place on Thursday, April 20, at noon. The webinar is free, and pre-registration is required. Register ASAP, as space is limited to 500 participants. Registered participants will receive a recording. You can register at the following website: www.bit.ly/energyApril2023. Any questions about this webinar can be directed to Joseph C. Conklin, Ed.D., at juc50@psu.edu.
President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Lowers Energy Costs, Builds America’s Clean-Energy Economy in Rural America
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications starting on April 1 for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. USDA is making the $1 billion in grants available under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), with funding from President Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.
“Supporting renewable energy and energy-saving systems helps the people of rural America create thriving, livable communities,” Vilsack said. “When we invest in rural communities, we are supporting hard work that sends a ripple effect across our country. Clean energy is critical to the future of our economy, and the Inflation Reduction Act provides the Biden-Harris Administration with the resources to build a more prosperous rural America while tackling the climate crisis and lowering energy costs.”
The SHCTC Networking and Security instructor, Mr. Bryant is proud to announce the Student of the Week, Levi Culver. Levi (Grade 12, PASD) has demonstrated the resiliency and persistence needed for success in his future endeavors. He provides consistent help to classmates and exhibits an outstanding work ethic in shop labs and on theory assignments. Levi earned his Network Pro certification in 2022 and his PC Pro certification in March, 2023. He is currently seeking his Digital Literacy Pro certification.
How many times do we encounter hearing impaired people and wish that we could communicate with them? As we age, we gradually lose some of our hearing. Sign language can help. Also, mothers of pre-lingual children can use sign language as a tool with their little ones. Here is your opportunity to learn basic sign language that could help you or someone you care about.
This course will cover beginning sign language, the alphabet, conversational phrases and a variety of commonly used signs. In addition, basic facts essential to the correct use of the language will be addressed. A dedicated student could learn as many as 800 signs and understand signing and interpreting rules, basic deaf culture, and medical situations that cause deafness and loss of hearing. An intermediate course may be offered depending on interest.
This course will be taught by Sheri Greene and is scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 25 – June 8, 2023 (not meeting the week of May 15th) from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Education Council’s Coudersport office. The cost is $160/person. The registration deadline is Tuesday, April 18th. To register or for more information, visit www.pottercountyedcouncil.org or call (814) 274-4877.
