Richard David Warco

Richard David Warco, 70, a resident of West Finley Township since 1976, died Thursday, May 19, 2022, in his home. He was born July 26, 1951, in Washington, a son of the late Walter Warco and Hazel Sprowls Warco. Mr. Warco enlisted in the United State Air Force during the Vietnam War. He also enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard during the Persian Gulf War, then transferred to the United States Air Force Reserves. He served his country as an aircraft mechanic, helicopter mechanic and aircrew life support specialist. As an Air Force Reserve member, he volunteered to help in the clean up of the U.S. Air crash in Pittsburgh. Mr. Warco, graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1969, and from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in mining technology. He also attended Washington and Jefferson College, taking business law, accounting, and business management courses. Mr. Warco also completed the Fast Trac New Venture Class of the Veterans Entrepreneurial Training program sponsored by the Veterans Corporation and The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in conjunction with Robert Morris University. He highly recommended this course to all veterans. Mr. Warco worked at Emerald Mine, Waynesburg, since 1978. He was also employed at Consolidation Coal Co. Montour #4 Mine, Chapman Plumbing & Heating, Tri-State Supply, and Washington County Housing Authority. As a member of United Mine Workers of America Local #2258, he served as president, recording secretary, and treasurer. While president of USWA Local #2258, Mr. Warco filed and won the largest settlement ever awarded in an arbitration case for contracting out union jobs. Rich was a regular member of American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175, Disabled American Veterans Chapter #131/Mon Valley, and the La Societe des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, Washington. He also was a 3rd degree member of Bentleyville Council #5826 Knight of Columbus. Mr. Warco was a past director of Pulaski Literary Athletic Association, and member of Slovak-American Citizens Club of Washington, The Jessop Employees Club, The Alpine Club, and AARP, and a lifetime member of Penn State Alumni Association. He was also a member of Washington County Veterans Advisory Council and served as a Washington County Democratic Committeeman. In addition, Rich volunteered for Washington County’s Emergency Response Program and took classes for the county’s West Nile Virus program. Surviving are a daughter, Christine L. Warco of West Virginia; two sisters, Cheryl Warco and Joanna (Chuck) Langley; brother, Thomas(Eileen) Warco; a niece, Denise; and two nephews, Christopher Lyon and Nicholas Langley. Deceased are two sisters, Patricia Lyon and Sandra Ghrist. Mr. Warco loved children and animals. He donated to his favorite charities, Christian Children’s Fund, Children’s International, and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His last wish is for memorial donations to be made to one of these causes. A memorial gathering will be held from 10 till 11:30 a.m., the time of a Blessing Service, Friday, July 8, 2022, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Burial will follow in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. .