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DAMRATOWSKI LEONARD Age 94, died December 13, 2018. Leonard was born September 15, 1924, in Pittsburgh. He was the son of the late Peter and Lottie (Kohinski) Damratowski. He was brother of the late Charlotte Glabicki, the late Paul Damratowski, and Irene Pankowski. He was beloved husband of the late Eileen (Albright) Damratowski for 50 years. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen (Joe) Planavsky, Colleen (Bob) Squires, Eileen (Scott) Krebs, and Charlene (Paul) Caracciolo; 11 grandchildren, Jennifer (Barry) Mitchell, Brian (Lisa) Planavsky, Rachel (Adam) Heusey, Stacy (Rick) Johns, Kristin Squires, Evan Squires, Kelsey (Christopher) Hanlon, Krista Krebs, Matthew (Lindsey) Krebs, Erica and Megan Caracciolo; and five great- grandchildren. Len enjoyed a very successful academic and professional life and took pride in his accomplishments. In his younger days, he was a model airplane enthusiast, placing highly in competitions in multiple states. As a 3rd year high school student at Central Catholic, he was offered a job at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in Langley, Virginia to build models of future Army and Navy planes for wind tunnel testing. He requested to begin on 3rd shift so that he could work while ?nishing his high school degree. He loved what he was doing and excelled. He was quickly promoted to crew chief, where he served as a supervisor despite being less senior than most of his team members. Len was called to active duty by the Air Corps Reserve, and trained for B-29 duty in Denver, Colorado. He was ordered to Panama as chief statistician for the 16th Air Force unit, where he completed his duty and was discharged in November, 1946. Upon arriving home, he was accepted to Carnegie Technical Institute in mechanical and aeronautical engineering. He graduated in 1950, and accepted a position as a mechanical engineer at Elliott Company in Jeannette, PA. He rapidly assumed responsibility for all new products for the company, and was responsible for the company's entrance to the gas turbine industry. He was granted multiple US patents for his work with turbines. He retired in 1984 to spend time with and care for his wife. Len always enjoyed being active, and completed a daily exercise regimen until a few weeks prior to his death. He enjoyed gardening and played tennis into his 80s. He was very faithful, crediting God for all of his blessings and accomplishments. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a long term, active member of St. Bernadette Church in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. He served as Worship Committee Chairman, Eucharistic Minister, Usher and Greeter in the parish and could always be heard singing loud and clear from his seat at Saturday night mass. His wife Eileen was the love of his life, and he continually professed his love for her even after her death in 2001. He missed her greatly and always advised his grandchildren to look for the type of love that they shared. He loved to talk about her and felt that she was his greatest blessing in life. Len was a family man, and he would tell anyone who would listen how proud he was of his four daughters. He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren as they grew, and always took interest in their activities, providing love and guidance along the way. Leonard will be received at JOBE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC ., 445 Beatty Rd., Monroeville on Sunday, December 16, 2018 from 2-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Bernadette Church on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Good Shepherd Cemetery. Len was concerned about those who were hungry. In lieu of ?owers, please make a donation to your local food bank to help feed others during this holiday season. www.jobefuneralhome.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
