Anthony Joseph Goralka

Anthony Joseph Goralka, 91, of Tarentum departed this life and went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 27, 2019 at Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights where he had been a patient the past 15 days after suffering a lengthy illness. He was born May 28, 1928 in Tarentum a son of the late George L. and Julia (Bros) Goralka. Anthony was a lifelong resident of Tarentum.

            Tony was a 1947 graduate of Tarentum High School and also attended Community College of Allegheny County. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War, serving as a corporal in the 25^th Reconnaissance Company, 25^th Infantry Division. He was wounded in action on March 2, 1952 at A Satae-ri, North Korea alongside his twin brother, Ernest. He received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service medal with two Bronze stars, United Nations Korea Service medal, Republic of Korea War Service medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Combat Infantry Badge.

            Tony retired in 1988 after 38 years of employment at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp., Brackenridge where he was an Employee Benefits Co-coordinator, His time there also included positions in the Employment Office and the Safety Dept. as well. Prior to that he worked at the former Tarentum Paper Mill and also briefly at ALCOA in New Kensington and the US Postal Service in Tarentum.

            He was a member of Holy Martyrs Roman Catholic Church, Tarentum where he had served as an usher and altar server for many years. He was a member of the former St. Peter Church, Tarentum and sang in the Men’s Choir and also belonged to the St. Vincent DePaul and Holy Name Societies.

            He was a 65+ year member of American Legion Post 226 of Brackenridge, a life member of The Disabled American Veterans and The First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota) Branch 831 of Tarentum.

            Tony enjoyed watching sports on television and was especially a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins as well as Notre Dame Football. He enjoyed watching daily Mass on EWTN and at one time he was a member of the New Kensington Elks Men’s Chorus and also enjoyed bowling and traveling.

            Tony is survived by his nephew James Goralka, Tarentum, a niece Kathy Schreiber and husband Joseph of Allegheny Twp.; two great nieces Krista and Kelly Schreiber and his sister in law Kay Goralka, Tarentum. Besides his parents and twin brother Ernest, he was preceded in death by Brothers Rev. George J. Goralka, Rev. Albert A. Goralka, and Francis A. (Frank) Goralka; his sister Josephine Dusko as well as brothers Rudolph, John and Clement and sister Mary all in childhood.

            Visitation 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday in the Duster Funeral Home, Inc. 347 E 10^th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10 am in Holy Martyrs Church, Tarentum with Rev. Aaron J. Kriss, officiating. Burial will be in St. Clement Cemetery, Tarentum with military honors by Vandergrift honor guard. VISIT: dusterfh.com