Memorials
This page is dedicated to honoring the memories of our classmates who have died. As of September 8, 2022, we know we've lost at least seventy-one fellow classmates.
If you know of a deceased classmate who is not listed here, you may add a new memorial with a photo by clicking the Create a Memorial button. If you prefer help doing this, please send an email to: naclassof71@gmail.com.
If you have a clarification on an existing Memorial entry (such as exact date of death, or details) please send an email to naclassof71@gmail.com so we can revise with your information.
You may also write a tribute or leave comments about those already listed by clicking the Add a Tribute button under their Memorial listing.
William Joseph Kelly
2017-03-04
Billed died of metastatic prostate cancer. He was living in Youngsville, NC.
David Saylor told us of his death 4 years later. Bill was married to Nancy____ (NA class of 1972). They have two children Joseph & Caroline.
Paula Silliman (Koss)
2011-08-15
Paula died at age 58. She was the loving sister of David, Nancy, John and James Koss; beloved friend of Barbara Felt, Mona Hamilton and beloved cat friend Tita. Paula was living in Arnold, PA.
Childhood neighbor of classmate Eileen Brunner Stana.
John Kotchey
2010-11-16John died at age 58 of a terrible work accident. According to news reports, John was cutting a broken water line with a power saw when the saw unexpectedly kicked back and cut him causing the fatal injuries. He was living in Glenshaw, PA at the time. His wife Janet and daughters Melonie and Missy miss him. John was a wonderful, loving and caring man that will be missed by many.
View Memorial and Tributes
Jeffrey Kurlak
1995-08-06
Jeff died of a pulmonary embolism at age 42. Was living in Pittsburgh with his wife, our 1971 classmate Mary Wolff Kurlak.
Mary said she met Jeff in Mr. Kline’s BSCS class in 10th grade. As he was one of the few boys who was taller than me in high school, I chased him unmercifully until he asked me out for a date the beginning of 12th grade. That began many years of seeing each other. Jeff was very intelligent, witty, kind, and compassionate. We eventually married and had 4 beautiful children. He was a loyal and devoted husband and father. Jeff graduated from Penn State and was a mechanical engineer. He was working for Herr Voss in Callery, PA when he suddenly died. It was a shock t...
Gregory Linder
1992-05-16
Greg died of a massive heart attack.
Per Greg’s sister Lisa Bujaky: He was married with one daughter. Greg never attended college, and was a carpenter/kitchen installer. He was living in the North Hills at the time of his death.
Carol Beilstein D’Amico wrote: Greg was a good friend for years. He was one of the most gifted artists I have ever met. He could write, make furniture, design jewelry, ceramics, sculpture…After he won 12 Gold Keys in the Scholastic Art Show, they limited them to one per person. He lived life fully. I remember riding his antique BMW motorcycle that looked like it belonged to Batman. He once did a trip from Boston to Pittsburgh & only stopped once for...
William Longmore
1994-05-24Bill died at age 40 of kidney failure. Bill’s sister Barb told us that Bill had gone to WVU and majored in journalism. Bill was living in Niles, OH writing for the Niles Tribune and working with the Buckeye Printing Company. He never married and didn’t have children, but Barb said he was the most wonderful uncle her children could ever have. Bill was a wonderful guy, funny, “my angel boy” big brother. Bill had kidney trouble from childhood, but his death was still a shock to the family.
View Memorial and Tributes
William "Bill" Losch
2022-01-10Bill died at age 68 of cancer, which had become active again in the fall of 2021. Immunotherapy didn’t work earlier, so Bill tried a targeted form of chemo. He went out in style, listening to Mott the Hoople and Led Zeppelin (what else would any of us expect!). His family was honored to be with him as he passed and were all grateful for every second they had with him. Bill is survived by his wife Bridget, and children Nicole, Paul and Emily, as well as several grandchildren. Bill and Bridget were living in Hobe Sound, Florida.
View Memorial and Tributes
R. Joel Lowder
1978-05-27Joel died of injuries from a traffic accident. Joel’s wife was Constance Floyd. Joel’s Mother told Sue Strothman Johnson the accident was south of Zelienople and Joel was the only fatality. He had only been married 18 months, and they did not have children. Joel was a heavy duty equipment operator, and loved to hunt and fish.
View Memorial and Tributes
Melvin D. Lubert
2005-10-17Melvin died of an aortic aneurism to the heart at age 53. Fortunately, our classmate Bill Nagel was with him. He lived in Franklin Park, PA. Husband of Debbie Hey Lubert, father of Jacob and Clint. Debbie (’76) told us they loved the outdoors, went camping, fishing and sat around many campfires. He had restored a ’67 Nova and they went on car cruises. Mel also had a Harley. He worked for Franklin Park Borough and had just gotten off work when the aneurism struck. Debbie is very thankful that he didn’t suffer and wasn’t driving a vehicle when it happened.
View Memorial and Tributes
Melinda O'Brien (Mannion)
2006-02-24Melinda died of throat, neck and tongue cancer as a result of smoking. Melinda’s brother Tom (’72) told us that Melinda was living in Batavia, Illinois with her husband when she died following two very difficult years of cancer treatment. Melinda had attended Mansfield State College and Duquesne University, then moved to Maryland when she got married. She and her husband, James P. O’Brien, were married for over 25 years and although they did not have children, were blessed with 12 nieces and nephews whom they showered with kindness, love, and attention. Melinda also loved pets and had several dogs and birds.
View Memorial and Tributes