Henry F. Atz, 42 Golfwood Dr., Hermitage, PA, passed away of natural causes at 1:49 p.m. Tuesday (5-18-10) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 88.

Mr. Atz was born November 26, 1921 in LaBelle, (Fayette County), PA a son of Felix and Ida Metz Atz.

During his youth he worked with the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in Warren County and later, during WW II, he served in the 332 Field Artillery of General Patton's Third Army from 1944 until the end of the European conflict. He was then sent to the Pacific campaign until the war ended and was the recipient of the EAME Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star; the Asiatic Pacific Theater ribbon; and the WW II Victory Medal.

Mr. Atz retired from US Steel Mining Company, Pittsburgh, after 43 years as a coal miner in Fayette and Washington Counties of Pennsylvania. He started working in the mines with a pick and shovel in 1938 and retired in 1984 as a top machine operator.

He was a member of the United Mine Workers Ass'n., local # 1248. Henry was a former active member of St. Mary's Church in Brownsville, PA where he was a member of its' Holy Name Society; and a member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and, especially his love of his flower garden. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steeler and Pittsburgh Penguin fan. He will especially be missed by the family pet dog, a Great Pyrenees named Pooh Bear.

Henry is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, the former Margaret Janos, whom he married July 19, 1947; two daughters, Kathleen Britvich and her husband Michael 'Mickey', Greenville, PA; and Francine Bossio and her husband Bruce, Portland, Oregon; and a grandson whom he was extremely proud of, Michael Britvich, DPT, an employee at Sharon Regional Health System.

Besides his parents, Henry was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Church of Notre Dame, 2335 Highland Rd., Hermitage, PA 16148.

Calling hours will be from 1-4 p.m. Friday (5-21-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting our web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian burial will be 4:30 p.m. Friday (5-21-10) in St. Rose Cemetery Chapel, Dutch Lane, Hermitage, with the Rev. Jeffrey Noble, pastor of the Church of Notre Dame, as celebrant. Military honors will be rendered by the Hickory VFW honor guard prior to the Mass in the cemetery chapel.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage.