Here are a few of the notable people who lived, served and loved Westmoreland County who were lost in 2020.

Donald A. Bailey

Tribune-Review file Donald A. Bailey  

The former Westmoreland County congressman and Pennsylvania auditor general died March 9 at 74. A Greensburg Salem graduate, Bailey was a high school and college sports standout and a member of Michigan’s 1965 Rose Bowl championship team. He enlisted in the Army and became a decorated serviceman during the Vietnam War. Returning home, Bailey earned his law degree before serving as congressman for the 21st District from 1979-83. He served as state auditor general from 1985-89.

Kathleen H. Burkley

submitted Kathleen H. Burkley  

The Greensburg resident served as executive director of the Humane Society of Westmoreland County, the organization’s first and only leader until her death Oct. 19. She was 72. In addition to her role with the Humane Society, Burkley also formerly served on the Greensburg Salem school board and Greensburg city council.

Ronald L. Echard

His first term as mayor of New Stanton was cut short Sept. 5 when he died suddenly. He was 68. He and his wife, Linda, who serves on borough council, are credited as a driving force behind the borough’s holiday display and local farmers market. This spring, as a way to keep up community morale during the coronavirus pandemic, he challenged residents to create rainbow-themed yard displays and take part in a statewide bell-ringing event to recognize first responders and frontline workers.

Paul Hartung

submitted Paul Hartung  

In the 1950s, he applied for a job with the Jeannette fire department but was instead hired as a police officer. He served with the department for 34 years, eventually as captain, before retiring in 1988. He found a new career as a golf professional at Cloverleaf Golf Club. He was a founding member of the Jeannette Golf Club. Hartung died May 19 at 92.

Donald G. Kattic

submitted Donald Kattic  

A Korean War veteran, Kattic devoted much of his life to recognizing, supporting, honoring and helping veterans in his hometown of North Huntingdon, as well as in Irwin and beyond, his family said. Serving for 20 years as commander of VFW Post 781 in Irwin/North Huntingdon, he spent most of his teaching career at Norwin High School, where he taught U.S. history and social studies before retiring in the early 1990s. He died Jan. 21 at 87.

Gilfert M. Mihalich

submitted Judge Gilfert Mihalich  

The South Huntingdon resident served as a Westmoreland County judge for more than 30 years, beginning in 1972. He died June 2 at 93. Mihalich presided over a number of high-profile criminal cases, including the “kill-for-thrill” murder trial of John Lesko and Michael Travaglia, who were convicted in the 1980 slaying of an Apollo police officer.

Joseph G. Mucci

submitted Joseph G. Mucci  

The Hempfield resident was considered a legendary high school football coach, first at Greensburg Central Catholic and later at Jeannette — where he compiled a 150-33-3 record. During his 18 seasons as the Jayhawks coach, he led the team to 11 conference titles and three WPIAL championships. He died Nov. 30 at 86. His wife of more than 64 years, Mary Gertrude “Trudy” (Falat) Mucci, died Dec. 19.

Toni Joann Nestico

submitted Toni Joann Nestico  

A familiar, friendly face at The Nest Restaurant in Jeannette, Nestico served seafood dishes to customers for close to 30 years and was co-owner of the renowned seafood establishment with her husband. She died July 7 at 57.

Lucy Pollock

submitted Lucy Pollock  

The Latrobe baking sensation, star of the popular “Baking With Lucy” Facebook page and its nearly 40,000 followers, wowed viewers worldwide with her kitchen skills during the pandemic — even earning her a national television appearance on NBC’s “Today” show. She died Nov. 22 at 98. Her family posthumously released a cookbook that had been in the works and which contains 222 of Lucy’s favorite recipes.

Barbara ‘B.’ Smith

Associated Press B. Smith  

The Everson native in 1976 became the second African-American woman to appear on the cover of Mademoiselle magazine. Smith was a model, actress, television show host, restaurant owner and cookbook author. She died Feb. 22 at her home on Long Island, N.Y. She was 70.

John F. Swank Jr.

Tribune-Review file John F. Swank Jr.  

The Greensburg resident spent 19 years with the city police department, advancing from patrolman to sergeant, and then detective sergeant. He played an instrumental role in narcotics cases with the department’s Street Crimes Task Force and later focused on investigations involving child abuse and sexual assault. The Mt. Pleasant native died Sept. 26. He was 51.

Stephanie Tomasic

The Norvelt resident served as the longtime executive director of Overly’s Country Christmas, which has been a Westmoreland County tradition since 1956. Tomasic served as its executive director since 1994. She died July 21 at 67.

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