Clement Charles Yancosek

Clement Charles Yancosek, 90, of Strabane Trails Village, formerly of Waynesburg Road, Washington, died Saturday, April 1, 2006, in the Washington Hospital emergency room. He was born June 24, 1915, in Manifold, a son of Austrian immigrants John and Rose Elchek Yancosek. Mr. Yancosek attended Immaculate Conception Grade School. He joined the I.C. Church choir in 1921 and serendipitously was chosen to sing in 1923 for legendary Austrian violinist Fritz Kreisler on a visit to the area. This event cemented his lifelong love of music. He was a 1932 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School and was a top student in his commercial class. He was a starting center in basketball and held several school titles in 1931 and 1932. Upon graduation, he studied fine art at Carnegie Tech, Pittsburgh, and interned with William Welch at Washington Theater. He started his own commercial art business that became Central Neon Signs. Mr. Yancosek enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1943. He served in the European Theater during World War II, attaining the rank of storekeeper first class. He earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. He returned from the war and continued his business until he sold it in 1956. During this time, he was a member of Washington Chamber of Commerce, Washington Parking Commission and many social and professional organizations in Washington. Some of his signs still are visible in the area. Mr. Yancosek was an avid sportsman and loved training bird dogs. He was a member of English Setter Association and American Pointer Club. From 1957 until his retirement in 1979, he was employed by Washington Steel Corp., spending most of his years in the shipping office. He also produced commercial art for the company during that time. Although making a living from commercial art, he continued his love of fine art, befriending and painting with local artists such as Malcolm Parcell. Thirty years later, with the opening of Sulkowski Academy of Fine Art, he intensified his studies. He was a favorite subject of Academy founder James Sulkowski, who credits Mr. Yancosek with a "long, unwavering friendship." Mr. Yancosek's paintings hang in commercial, academic and private collections throughout the United States. Mr. Yancosek was one of the original artists at the annual Art in the Garden fundraiser for Washington County Historical Society, of which he was a member. He had participated in this worthy event until 2005. He was one of the original members of Washington County Art League. He continued singing in his church choir, except for the war years, until his health no longer permitted it. He trained with Pat Delaney and Dr. Amie Sposato. Immaculate Conception choir director Dr. Yugo Ikach calls Mr. Yancosek the "father" of the choir. Over the years, he sang for countless weddings, funerals and church-related events. He sang his final tenor solo, "Panis Angelius," at age 86, receiving his last standing ovation from the congregation. The choir, in a surprise Christmas 2004 event, retired his robe and gave a performance in Strabane Trails, where he was able to sing with his beloved choir a final time. He enjoyed the company of his art and music friends and his new friendships at Strabane Trails Village. He had a blessed life, long and full of love. Two sons, Richard A. (Katherine) Yancosek and John Regis "Pete" (Rita) Yancosek, both of Washington, survive. They are the sons of the late Martha Bushta Yancosek. Also surviving is a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Yancosek (Dr. Mort) Gamble of Frederick, Md. She is the daughter of the late Betty Neil Yancosek. A brother, George Basil (Edith) Yancosek of Englewood, N.J., 10 grandchildren and 21 grandchildren also survive. Deceased are a son, Clement Daniel Yancosek; four brothers, Frank, Adam, Joseph and John Yancosek; and three sisters, Mary Yancosek, Mary Elizabeth Yancosek and Rose Gersna. Friends and family will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, in Immaculate Conception Church, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington, with the Rev. William Feeney as celebrant. Interment will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Hickory, with graveside military rites accorded by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Choir, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington, PA 15301.