Carl F. “Harry” Baumgratz, Sr., 93, of 521 Church Street and recently of Pinecrest Manor, passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017, after a brief illness.
He was born on January 26, 1924, in St. Marys, a son of the late Andrew “Dan” and Eleanor Ehrensberger Baumgratz. He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of St. Marys High School, Class of 1946, having enlisted in his senior year in 1943, when his country needed him most. He was a part of the greatest generation.
On September 25, 1954, in Dunkirk, NY, he married Ruth M. Griswold, who preceded him in death on January 30, 2013. She was the love of his life and he is now with her, having missed her loving companionship since she departed.
Carl is survived by a daughter, Marcie (Dennis) Oskorus of Ridgway; 5 sons, Carl F. (Cheryl, a special daughter-in-law) Jr., Mark (Diane), Kevin (Pam Torpey), Jim (Lynn Anderson) and David (Charlene), all of St. Marys. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Rob (Mindy) Trask, Ellie (Dana) Daisley, Anna (Damian) Piccolo, Jason (Susan) Oskorus, Geoff (Toni) Oskorus, Drew Baumgratz, Kaylynn Baumgratz and Logan Baumgratz; and by 10 great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was proceded in death by one grandson, Jason Trask on February 5, 2015, 2 sisters, Viola Wright and Mary Jane Shauer; and by 3 brothers, Paul “Chicken” Baumgratz, Regis “Daisy” Baumgratz and Merle “Banana” Baumgratz. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Carl served in the Army Air Force in the Philippines and later in the Occupation of Japan. He was the acting Sergeant Major of his battalion and left the service with the rank of Sergeant First Class. He was awarded six campaign and service medals during his time in the military. His love of airplanes and flying had him enrolled in the Army Air Force Cadet program, but the end of the war ended his flight training.
Carl was employed over 30 years as a Rural Letter Carrier for the U. S. Postal Service, retiring in 1989. He was fondly remembered as the Mailman by many former customers, up to and including the afternoon of his death.
Carl was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, was a Past Commander of the St. Marys Legion Post #103, a member of the VFW, a retired member of the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail, a member of the 40th and 8th, the St. Marys Moose, and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.
The love of his life was his wife and family, giving advice on how to fix anything mechanical, love one another, and the strength of family. He will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial, with full Military rites accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail, will be celebrated in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 12:00 Noon, with Father Alfred Patterson, OSB, officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Sunday, April 29, 2017 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Community Nurses, Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857 or the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail, 168 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.