Obituary of Mario J. Creany

CREANY - Mario J., age 88, Indiana, formerly of Cresson and Nanty Glo, died July 27, 2008. Born May 16, 1920, in Nanty Glo, son of Emilio and Virginia (Lenzi) Creany. Preceded in death by first wife, Anne C. (Hutsky) Creany; parents; sister, Mary Guella; and brother, Eugene A. Creany. Survived by daughters, Anne L., wife of William W. Weaver, Louisville, Ky.; Mary Beth, wife of Timothy J. Whited, Lilly; Peggy, Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Matthew Whited, Jackson, Miss.; Zachary Whited, Indiana, Pa.; Caleb Scott and Madison Scott, Houston, Texas; sister, Genevieve, wife of Paul Palko, Nanty Glo; and 16 nieces and 16 nephews. Mario is also survived by his second wife, Matilda (Dalpra) Traino Creany, and stepdaughter, Stephanie (Traino), wife of Louis Meola, Indiana, Pa. Mario was a 1938 graduate of Nanty Glo High School. He received a bachelor of arts degree in education from St. Francis College, class of 1943 and his master of education degree in educational administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1948. Mr. Creany joined the Nanty Glo School District in 1946 as a seventh and eighth grade teacher. He subsequently taught high school in Nanty Glo, Nanty Glo-Vintondale Joint and Blacklick Valley school districts. During his career, he served as guidance counselor; home school visitor; elementary, high school and secondary principal. From 1966 through 1978, Mr. Creany served as supervising principal and superintendent of Blacklick Valley School District. He also served as chief school administrator of Admiral Peary Vocational-Technical School from 1974 until his retirement in 1978. Mr. Creany was a member of the American Association of School Administrators, Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, a former president of the Cambria County Chief School Administrators Association, Pennsylvania Association of School Safety Educators, Cambria County Reading Council, Cambria County Guidance Association, Nanty Glo Lions Club, Johnstown Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, Nanty Glo Athletic Association, VFW Post 3489, American Legion Post 619, Blacklick Valley PTA, life member of the Pa. Congress of PTA. Charter member of the Nanty Glo Little League, American Security Council Advisory Board, TPA Blacklick Valley Foundation Association, Pa. Retired Public School Employees Association, National Retired Teachers Association, Tri-County Beagle Club and the U.S. Bank Advisory Board. Mr. Creany enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 2, 1942. He served in the European theater of operations as a platoon sergeant with Gen. George Patton's 3rd Army, Company F 328 Infantry and Company C 101st Combat Engineering Battalion, 26th (Yankee Division), in England. He engaged in action in France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Czechoslovakia. He was the recipient of many military awards and commendations, including the Belgian Cross and the Bronze Star. Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Bowser-Ondriezek Funeral Home, Nanty Glo, where a liturgical wake service will be held. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Church, Nanty Glo, Fr. David Peles, celebrant. Interment will be in Holy Name Cemetery, Ebensburg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Military services will be conducted by local veterans organizations.