Jack Lowers Roscoe, 89, of Uniontown, Pa., died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Feb. 14, 2010, in State College. He was born on March 8, 1920 at home in Simpson, Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pa. to Stephen Franklin Roscoe and Pauline Jane Lowers who predeceased him.
Jack was a former purchasing agent and expediter for glass, iron, and steel firms in the Pittsburgh area. However, he retired from the United States Postal Service as a Sectional Center Manager of the 154 area after 40 years of service. He was a graduate of Uniontown Senior High School, class of 1938 and assumed the responsibility of class coordinator for over 35 years.
Jack was a veteran having served as a Staff Sergeant during World War II in the 575th Ordinance Ammunition Company, 20th Corps, Third U. S. Army commanded by General George S. Patton from Dec. 15, 1942 through Dec. 20, 1945. Jack survived a landing on D-Day and five major battles in the European Theater of Action including the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne.
He was a member of the American Philatelic Society and designed and issued many philatelic cachets to honor local people, places, and centennials with the literary assistance of Buzz Story. Jack was instrumental in founding the local Jaycees and the Penn Laurel Stamp Club. He was a charter member of the World War II Memorial Museum and Local 2002, National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
During his postal career he progressed through the fraternal leadership ranks of the National Association of Postal Supervisors to become the Pennsylvania State President. Jack was a Brother Elk, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 47, a member of the American Legion, Post 51, and a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William; half-brother, Robert; wife, Margaret "Honey"; daughter and son in law, Patricia and Joseph Gessner; and daughter, Sheila Roscoe. Left to cherish his memory are his half-brothers, Richard and his wife Kathleen, and Ronald and his wife Marianne; daughter, Elaine Prestia and her husband Carmine, of State College; grandsons, Christopher Prestia and Andrew Prestia and his wife Katherine and their son, Reilly Jackson Prestia, of State College; granddaughter, Beth Gessner Palamara and her husband Paul and their daughters, Hannah and Grace, of Bay Village, Ohio; and granddaughter, Laura Gessner and her husband Eric Brauns.
Friends will be received in the Kezmarsky Funeral Home, 71 Pennsylvania Avenue, Uniontown, PA on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and Friday morning until 9:30 a.m. when Prayers of Transfer will be said followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 50 Jefferson St., Uniontown, PA, with Rev. Father Michael J. Crookston as Celebrant. Interment follows in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Uniontown Meals on Wheels, 140 N. Beeson Blvd., Uniontown, PA 15401.