Alexander F. Chrobak , Hermitage, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (10-4-11) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 86.

He was born January 19, 1925 in Sharon, the son of Piotr and Franciszka Owoc Chrobak.

As a Sharon High Student in the early 1940's, Alex played basketball for three years and during his senior year their team went to the state playoffs. He matriculated to the University of Cincinnati where he had received a scholarship to play basketball. After his freshman year he transferred to Gannon University where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1953. While at Gannon University he started and lettered for three years and was one of the top-10 leading scorers, his records held up for a number of years. He was the first junior to receive the prestigious Bishop John Mark Gannon Student-Athlete award for basketball, golf, and academic excellence. At Gannon, he also letters three years in golf.

Alex began a teaching and coaching career in 1953 in the Sharon School District. He was named the head basket ball coach in 1967. During his fifteen years as head coach he amassed a record of 225 wins, 124 loses. In the 1972 season he reached the quarter finals of the state tournament. In 1972 and 1975 Alex was named Coach of the Year in Section 3 after winning two section titles. He also was named Outstanding Sportsman among High School Coaches by the Pittsburgh Chapter of Basketball officials in 1972.

He was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex. Alex or 'Kutchie', as he was know by his close friends, was a familiar face at the Hickory VFW Golf Course where he worked behind the counter and where he enjoyed playing golf with the well known 'Herd'.

His wife, the former Patricia J. Breck, whom he married October 16, 1953 survives at home.

He is survived by two daughters Carolyn Rieck and her husband Dennis, Erie and Kimberly Parker and her husband Jeff, Pittsburgh; two sons Richard, Hermitage, and Jeffrey and his wife Laurie, Hubbard; four Grandchildren Patricia and Katie Downey and Joshua and Elizabeth Chrobak.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ted and Stanley Chrobak; two sisters Jane Lavrangie and Michaelene Niec, and a niece, Christine 'Chris' Chrobak Anderson.

Memorial contributions be made in his memory to Sharon Regional Health System Hospice and Palliative Care 2320 Highland Road Hermitage Pa., 16148or to the Hickory VFW Golf Course 4856 E. State St. Hermitage Pa. 16148

Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (10-7-11) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State Street, Sharon.

Condolences may be sent to our website at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services: A funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday (10-7-11) in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Robert M. Malene, pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex officiating. 08298
Anne F. Cicen, 1385 Highland Rd., Sharon, PA passed away at 7:10 a.m. Sunday, November 23, 2008, in her residence. She was 90.
Mrs. Cicen was born Nov. 18, 1918 in Farrell, PA a daughter of the late Michael and Anna Ferezan Ferezon.
She was a 1936 alumna of Farrell High School and received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA in 1961.
Anne retired in 1980 from the Sharon School District after twenty years as an elementary school teacher at the former Hadley School. She was previously a cashier at the former Montgomery Ward Store for ten years and also worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone.
Anne was a member of St. Joseph Church, Sharon, and its' hospitality group and Tuesday evening prayer group. She was also a member of the former St. John Romanian Byzantine Catholic Church, Hermitage, where she was the cantor-choir director for ten years and the first woman president of ARCA (Association of Romanian Catholics of America), a post she held for three years. She was a member of College Club, Sharon; the PSEA (Pennsylvania State Education Association) and the NEA (National Education Association).
Anne loved singing and music and was also known for her wonderful cooking and sewing.
Surviving are: her husband at home, John W. Cicen, whom she married August 19, 1939; a son, John Randolph Cicen and his wife Nelle, Aurora, Ohio; five grandchildren, Christine Houston, Cassie Cicen, Kelly Pascoe, Christopher Cicen and Kevin Cicen; and two great granddaughters, Avery Houston and Evelyn Cicen.
Besides her parents, Anne was preceded in death by two sisters, Victoria F. Huck and Emily F. Breckenridge.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Joseph Church, 79 Case Ave., Sharon, PA 16146.
Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2008, in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St. Sharon.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2008, in St. Joseph Church, Sharon, with Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.
Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage.