Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 27

B-7 PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1997 STATE REGION Bigger school may cost homes Retardation unit closing protested r-1 I 1 4 ryrn nr-rrnnjiTirnif i.i miU m.m!JMmm.m' HWWH 1U WL-iJii By J. Kenneth Evans Post-Gazette Stalf Writer About 50 people, most of them employees, turned out yesterday to protest the planned closing of the mental retardation unit at Torrence State Hospital. The state announced last month that the facility would be closed in June and that the 38 patients it now houses would be sent to group homes or other community-based living arrangements. "I've seen the good. I've sent he bad," said Wayne Emanuel, a nurse at Torrence for the past 24 years.

"I've seen patients turned out before they were ready. I've seen some of them come back a real mess. I've seen some of them not come back. "Bottom line is, some of them end up dead," Emanuel continued. Most of the protesters are members of unions representing Torrence workers, and they stand to lose their jobs if the mental retardation unit, which employs 60 people, is closed.

The biggest complaint aired yesterday was that there was no system in place to keep tabs on the patients once they were released from Torrence. "We know some go to jail," said Kathy Jellison of the Pennsylvania Social Services Union, Local 668. "We know some are homeless." They pointed to the Somerset State Hospital in Somerset County, which closed two years ago. Tom Hoffman of he Service Employees International Union, said it was not known' if the patients released from that facility were receiving the proper care. Not so, said Mary Ellen Fritz, spokeswoman for the state Department of Public Welfare.

"There is a system in place," she said. "We know where everyone is." The Somerset facility has been converted into the State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands. Fritz said the state would not abandon the patients once they are moved from Torrence. "It's not a plan to move a person into a group home and say, 'Have a good said. The state keeps track of where each patient is and how i he is doing, she said.

State Rep. Joe Petrarca. D-Vandergrift, said he was outraged at the closing. "I'm here to support the workers," he said. "We're very disgusted with the closing." The state Legislature made the closing possible by allocating money in the budget for 40 people to be moved into community placements within a year, a Public Welfare Department spokeswoman said.

Robin RombachPost-Gazette Houses behind Carrick High School on down so the school can be expanded. Almont Street are part of one proposal that calls for them to be torn Three Brashcar students held on weapons charges "This is not just a brick house. This is my life. Geraldine Nort But that option would have created easement problems and other complications because of the closeness of the businesses, said Michael Federici, a project manager with Hayes Large. Also, a bridge would have to be built connecting the new building, which could create pedestrian traffic problems for the school, he said.

Other options that involved construction across the street from the high school but farther away from the shopping center could require taking up to 10 homes as well as building a bridge. Options involving construction on the same side as the high school but requiring acquisition of fewer homes would mean fewer building improvements could be made, Federici said. Also some of those options would involve awkward construction that could create other problems and confusion. For example, one option would require having the first floor of the present building lead into the top floor of the addition. Carrick expansion worries neighbors By Carmen J.

Lee Post-Gazette Staff Writer Carrick High School gets its fair share of neighborhood support, but some Carrick residents don't want to sacrifice their homes to it. They're protesting a city school district proposal that would raze eight houses so that the school can be expanded. That proposal, which is favored by architects for the project, is one of about nine options that will be presented during a 7 p.m. community meeting Tuesday in the school auditorium. Pittsburgh school board members have not made a decision on which design to use for the 73-year-old school's renovations.

Budgeted for the work is $25 million. Officials with Hayes Large Architects point out that all the options involve using the district's eminent domain powers to take some homes. Homeowners would have to receive the fair market values for their property. District facilities director John Walluk insists that the project is in an early phase. The purpose of next week's meeting is to get neighborhood input before a decision is made, he said.

Still, some Carrick residents were not too pleased to learn that the architects' preferred option would require taking four homes on Almont Street and four others on Spokane Avenue. "My husband and I are under a lot of stress because of this situation. We've lived here since '61. He'll be 63 and I'll be 62, and it's too late in life for us to be starting all over again," said Geraldine Nort, whose Spokane Avenue home would be among those taken under this option. "This is not just a brick house.

This is my life. I have two daughters I hope will inherit this house. I'm not ready to give it up. I'll fight to the last minute." Although Ethel Eck's home on Spokane would not be affected under the proposal, she's "madder than a wet hen about it." If approved, the expansion would place her house two doors from the school instead of six, and she's not looking forward to the closer proximity. She said she was concerned such an expansion would devalue her home and even increase crime.

Peter Mamula, an Oliver High School science teacher who lives on Almont, was initially angered at the idea of losing the duplex where he Cont. from Page B-6 GOLDFARB IRVING On Sept. 16, 1997; beloved husband of Rose Sklar, and the late Lillian Meisman; father of Larry (Mariorie), Cheryl (Michael) Kahn, and Susan (Pablo) Hendler; also four grandchildren. Interment in Chicago. Friends received Sept.

22, 7-9 pm at the Goldfarb home. Tokens of sympathy may be made to the Critical Care Unit of Sewickley Valley Hospital. GREENE VIRGINIA JOSEPHINE (ARMSTRONG) Quietly on Monday September 15, 1997; dearly beloved mother of Russel Arthur Greene, and Thomas Edward Greene; sister of Mary Amis of Washington DC; mother-in-law of Jewel and Patricia Greene; also 2 generations of grandchildren and hosts of other relatives and concerned friends. Visitation, Thursday 7-9 pm at NEW SAMUEL E. COSTON FUNERAL HOME, 427 Lincoln E.

Liberty. Funeral Services Friday 1 pm at Bethesda United Presbyterian Church. HOLDEN CHESTER ORVILLE SR. Age 81 died Wednesday, September 17, 1997. He was born December 4, 1915 in Pittsburgh, PA.

He graduated from Wilkinsburg High School in 1935. Chester proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He graduated on June 11, 1947 from the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. The next day he bagan a 35 year career in transportation with the Gulf Oil Corporation, finally retiring in 1982.

He loved every aspect of life, but was particularly fond of children and horses. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Polly Mafchir; sons, Chester O. Holden, Jr and his wife Carol Holden and Michael Holden; granddaughters, Anna Mafchir, Samantha Mafchir and Allison Holden; grandson, Chris Holden; and numerous loving relatives and friends. Private services will be held at Houston National Cemetery, Houston, TX. OBITUARIES lives but has reconsidered his position.

"I've worked 17 years on the place, and it's heartbreaking, but if I'm compensated justly, I'm not going to hold back an expansion," he said. More accommodating is Jean Fink, who will be sworn later this year as the school board member representing Carrick and nearby neighborhoods. Fink agrees with the architects that expanding the school along Almont and Spokane is the best option. Her Carrick home would not be affected by the project. Other options could lead to a range of problems, she said, while this one would create fewer difficulties and provide the school with new science labs and gymnasium facilities that it needs.

"They've had that pool since 1924. It came with the original red brick building. The kids call it the 'cess pool' or the 'algae Fink said. "Of all the options, this one seems to solve all the problems for the school the space needs, the bus turnaround in the back of the school. It has all the cookies." Two years ago, school officials agreed to proceed with much-needed renovations of Carrick and Wes-tinghouse high schools at a cost of about $25 million each.

Originally, architects had focused on building an addition across the street from Carrick High, behind Carrick Shopping Center, which would have required taking fewer homes. HURLBUTT BERNICE (KANTNER) Formerly of West View, on Sept. 16, 1997; wife of the late Eugene Hurlbutt; mother of Joseph F. and Jeffrey P. Hurlbutt; also three grandchildren.

No visitation. Friends invited to attend a memorial mass in St. Athanasius Church, West View on Sept. 20 at 10 am. Arrangements by H.P.

BRANDT FUNERAL HOME, 1032 Perry Highway, Perrysville. JACISIN ELIZABETH (BLASKO) Formerly of Munhall Garden, PA, on September 13, 1997, age 91; wife of the late Joseph; beloved mother of Mary Jacisin Styslinger and the late Robert; mother-in-law of Mrs. Robert (Delores) Jacisin and George Styslinger; also seven grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren; sister of Julius Blasko. Friends received Fri. in the R.

V. ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME, INC. 315 E. 10th Homestead. Mass of Christian Burial Sat.

at 10a.m. in St. Rita Church. Interment St. Elias Cemetery.

Family requests memorials to St. Rita Church, 218 West Schwab Munhall, PA 15120. JONES ODELIA (AMON) On Wednesday, September 17, 1997, wife of the late Daniel Jones; dear sister of Gertrude, Regis and Vincent Amon and the late Margaret Merritt, Louise Kasper, Mary Donohue, Clotilda Nixon and Thomas Amon; also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends may call 2-4 7-9 p.m. Friday at MCDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC.

,1225 Chartiers McKees Rocks. Mass of Christian burial Saturday 9 a.m. St. John of God Parish, St. Mary Church.

KRAVIC IRMA (HALT) On Tuesday, September 16, 1997, beloved wife of Thomas W. Kravic; mother of Frances Woyick, Thomas D. Carol and William Kravic; also survived by four grandchildren; sister of Carol Bucci. Funeral from McCABE FUNERAL HOME, 5300 Penn Bloomfield on Saturday, 9 Mass of Christian burial in St. Raphael Church, at 10 a.m.

Visitations with family Thursday and Friday 2-4 7-9 p.m. Federici and lead designer Mark Trimbur, a Carrick High School graduate, plan to review all the options Tuesday without giving their preferred one any special treatment. Thus far, their firm intends to recommend to the board the option involving taking homes on Almont and Spokane, which would cost from $25 million to $26.5 million according to preliminary estimates. Such an addition would be attached to the end of the school where the present gymnasium already is situated and would provide an off-street parking loop for school buses behind the building, Federici said. It also would create the fewest problems while maximizing the improvements.

"We feel it presents the most positives and fewest negatives," he said. "It's an opportunity to strengthen the campus setting that is there." Wednesday in the Post-Gazette Ellen Goodman TV Ratings Rawson on Stage Brian O'Neill Gene Collier MAYER FRANK J. On Sept. 16, 1997; beloved husband of Dolores Fazio; father of Mary Ann DiTommaso, Michael Francis J. and Thomas proud grandfather of Diane, Karen, Kevin, Susan, Joe, David, Courtni, Tommy, Brittni, Kelly; greatgrandfather of Brandon Deana.

Friends received 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Thurs. 8, Fri. THOMAS P. KUNSAK FUNERAL HOME, INC.

3552 California at Davis Ave. Funeral Mass at Risen Lord Parish, St. Francis Church, Saturday 10 a.m. Family suggests memorials to St. Philip School, Crafton.

MISSEY LORETTA M. Of Ft. Lauderdale, FL formerly of McCandless Ross, Sept. 16, 1997; wife of George P. Missey for 59 years; mother of Carol Ann Binder, George F.

Missey and the late Barbara J. McComas; eight grand and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation Thurs. Fri. 2-4 7-9 pm NEELY'S 2208 Mt.

Royal Glenshaw Blessing service Sat. 11 am. Memorials suggested to the American Cancer Society. MONTGOMERY ANNIE MAUDE Wednesday, September 17, 1997, age 79, of Wilkinsburg; beloved wife of James; mother of Lois Dorsey, Willie, and Terrence; twelve grandchildren and thirteen greatgrandchildren; sister of William Colbert of NYC, Jane Allen and Pauline Hodges of Rome, GA; other relatives and friends. Funeral Mon.

11a.m. in Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. Visitation Sat. 8.

Sun. 2-4 at the GEORGE A. WARDEN FUNERAL HOME, 1100 North Homewood Ave. Interment Home-wood Cemetery. MORELAND JOHN JR.

"Battlin" On Sept. 16, 1997 beloved husband of Irene; brother of Bert (Pie) Mo-reland; brother-in law of Josephine Moreland; numerous niecesv rela i. officer pursued. The officer found the car aban- doned two streets away in the 1200 block of Fallowfield Avenue and saw the boys standing about 40 feet away near the high school. officers detained them until city police arrived.

Inside the car, city officers said, they found two revolvers, a revolver and a 12-gauge shotgun. Police and school district spokeswoman Pat Crawford would not release the suspects' names because they are The boys were being held at Shuman Juvenile Detention Center last night pending a hearing. Humanity in Miami, FL following Hurricane Andrew. He was also a member of the Treasury Manage-, ment Association and Financial' Executive Institute. Until his illness, Bob was active with Boy Scout Troop 116 at St.

John's Episcopal Church. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Darkes Prokay; Kecia Kathleen Prokay, Ryan R.D., Prokay and Karah E. Prokay, all ot, Charlotte, five brothers and two sisters. The family expresses a special thank you to Bob's doctors, nurses and staff at Carolinas Medical Center for their assistance and" care and to his many friends for. their prayers and support.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Mon. Sept. 22, 1997 at Zion Goshert Cem-etery in Lebanon, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St.

John's Episcopal Church Endowment Fund for Education, 1623 Carmel Charlotte, NC 28226 or the Clinical Research Fund of Carolina Brain Tumor Consortium? 1010 Edgehill Rd Charlotte, NC 28207. CHRISTMAN'S FUNERALO HOME, Lebanon, PA is serving the ci family of Mr. Prokay. co PUCCI ANASTASIA Beloved mother, grandmother sister, and aunt. She was born March 10, 1919 and died Sept 15, 1997.

She was the wife of the late James J. Pucci and her parents were the late Stephan and Mary Rusinak Nesita; mother of Betty and Ronald Rubinsak of West Miff-, lin, Pat Layton of San Fransisco, CA, Carmella and Camille Pucci of Duquesne; grandmother of Amy and Brian Ferguson of West Mifflin" and Jeff Rubinsak of West Mifflin; greatgrandmother of Troy David Ferguson; sister of Mary Langus of Cheswick, PA, Tatiana Topolyan of Duquesne, Timothy and Geraldine Nesita of West Mifflin; sister-in-law of Florence Abbatangelo of McK-eesport; preceded in death by brother Andrew Nesita; also nieces nephews. Memorial contributions to St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox' Church, Duquesne. Arrangements by TEICHART-GRACAN FUNER AL HOME, INC.

Kennedy Avenue, Duquesne. ft A City police arrested three Bra-shear High School students yesterday morning on weapons charges after finding loaded guns inside a car in which they had been riding. Officers from the West End station charged the three, ages 15, 16 and 17, with carrying firearms without a license, carrying loaded firearms, possession of firearms and criminal conspiracy. About 9:15 a.m., police said, a school district police officer noticed an older-model car driving erratically on Lowenhill Street, which leads to the back entrance of the high school in Beechview. When he tried to stop the car, police said, he noticed a shotgun lying on the back The driver sped away and the tives and other friends.

WEST FUNERAL HOME 2215 Wylie Ave Visitian Friday 2-9pm. Funeral service Sat. 11am. in the chapel. Interment Riverview Cemetery.

MULLIGAN DAVID (MIKE) 83 years old on Sept. 15, 1997 of McKees Rocks; beloved husband of the late Anna Mulligan; beloved uncle to Audrey and Robert Rak; great-uncle to Mary Sabo, Julie Crede, Sandra Pastin and Robert W. Rak; brother-in-law of Kathryn and John Paslawski and Rosella Kissel. Family to receive friends 2-4 7-9 Fri. at MCDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC.

,1225 Chartiers McKees Rocks. Mass of Christian Burial Sat. 10 a.m. at St. John of God Parish in St.

Mary Church (Private Burial). OGG ROBYN D. (LEHMEIER) Age 41 on Sept. 17, 1997; beloved wife of Alexander J. Ogg; mother of Heather and Michael Ogg of Es-condido, CA; daughter of Robert and Thelma Lehmeier of Reserve Twp; sister of Rhonda McKinney of Tucson, AZ, Michael, Warren, Lawrence, Randal, Paula Interhal, Theresa Lehmeier of Pittsburgh, Laura Sherwood of Escondido, CA, Jenifer Lehmeier of Newport News, VA.

Memorial Service 7 p.m. Sept. 27, 1997 in Saint Fedelis Chapel, Herman, PA. PRO KAY ROBERT M. Age 50 of Charlotte, NC died Weds, Sept.

17, 1997 at Carolinas Medical Center. Mr. Prokay was born Feb. 18, 1947 in Duquesne, PA, the second child of Alex and Mary Liszka Prokay. He attended North H.S.

in West Mifflin, PA, received a management degree in 1970 from Indiana University of PA and earned his MBA at the University of Utah. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army in Korea and Germany. Bob began his career in 1974 with El Dupont in Wilmington, DE. In 1980, he became Assistant Treasurer for Ryder Systems, Inc.

of. Miami, FL and joined National Gypsum Company in 1991, most recently serving as VP Finance and Treasurer and a senior member of the Management Committee. Bob's interests were centered around his family, church and work. He was active in St. John's Episcopal Church and worked with Habitat for MAHONEY WALTER Age 72 of Brookline, on Sept.

17, 1997, husband of Florence Mahoney; beloved father of Stephen and John Mahoney; also survived by seven grandchildren. Friends may call at FRANK F. DE BOR FUNERAL HOME, INC. 1065 Brookline 561-0380, on FRIDAY ONLY 2-9 P.M. Services and interment private.

MANN LAURENCE M. (LARRY) Age 47 formerly of Oakland, died Thurs. Sept. 8, 1997. He had worked in the registrar's office at the Univ.

of Pittsburgh in Oakland. Friends received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME Pleasant Unity 412-423-2566, Fri. from 3-5 7-9 p.m. where a blessing service will be held Sat. at noon.

Interment in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Derry. MAS LANKA MICHAEL JR. On Tuesday, September 16, 1997, age 76, of Greenfield, beloved hus band of Theresa D. (Smith) and the late Anna Julia (Lohr) Maslanka; father of Sandy (Raymond Micolucci of Munhall, Mary Ann (Fred Grubb of Munhall; step-father of David Steimer of Pgh, Ruth Cornelius of Pgh, Mark Steimer of Gaithersburg, MD and Beth Johnson of Butler; brother of Helen Hughes, Jane Maslanka and the late Stanley, Joseph and William Maslanka and Stella Toth; also survived by 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one late grandson.

Friends received in the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Ave. Funeral Saturday, at 9:30 AM, with funeral Mass in St. Rosalia Church at 10 AM. Visitation with the family, Thurs.

and 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Mr. Maslanka was a SSgt in WWII and retiree of the Mon. Conn. Railroad.

Cont. on Page B-8.