Past honorees of the "Resident in the Spotlight" article from the ANGELines.

June 2004 - Resident in The Spotlight....Mary Galensky

To this resident, family is everything.  Mary Galensky, born and raised in Rillton, PA as an only child, is this edition’s Resident in the Spotlight.

Mary met her husband Frank in the Rillton Post Office and found out later through a friend that Frank was smitten with her.  Mary told her friend that she liked Frank too and her friend played matchmaker.  It worked.  The two were married and raised three of their own children, Frank Richard, Felicia, and Sylvia and also took care of another child, Larry.  Mary has 9 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter, Hanna. 

Mary says, “I may not be rich in money, but I am rich in love.  My family visits me everyday and I love seeing them.”  Mary is often seen talking and joking with the residents, staff and visitors.  One of the residents said to her that she likes when Mary makes people talk.  She says it keeps those who do not have friends to talk to happy.  Mary enjoys going to all the activities and proudly displays many of her handmade crafts in her room.  

Mary says that St. Anne Home is one big family.  “Everyone treats me nice and when I was sick over Christmas many said when I came back ‘Welcome back Mary, it’s nice to see you again.’  That really made me feel good.”  Mary was extremely touched on Mother’s Day when one of the St. Anne Home volunteers, who is from Poland, asked Mary if she would be her “mama.”  “Of course I said yes.  She also gave me a gift and beautiful card.”

Mary will be celebrating her 93^rd birthday in September and says she is grateful for all she has done in her life.  One of Mary’s careers included being a travel agent arranging trips for senior citizens.  The groups visited Atlantic City, Harrisburg, Gettysburg, New York City and Nashville, just to name a few.  Mary said they had such a good time that the groups would ask to go more than once a month.  Mary coordinated these trips until she was near 80.   

Mary has only been a resident at St. Anne Home for a year but she has come to know so many through talking and just saying hello.  Mary is happy to be at St. Anne Home and we are happy to have her!

March 2004 - Resident in The Spotlight.... Irene Foley

Many of us would complain about waking up at 4am daily but this edition’s Resident in the Spotlight says, “It’s the only time of the day when I can get my work done.”  Irene Foley, who will celebrate her 100^th birthday this May, is known around St. Anne Home and Villa Angela for her extreme love of sewing, particularly making aprons and potholders.  Irene said, “If I don’t get up at 4am I will never get my aprons made because later in the day people come to visit and there are other things to do.” 

    Making aprons has been a passion of Irene’s for as long as she can remember.  She explained that it takes about two hours to make an apron but it depends on whether she adds a pocket or the amount of lace.  Irene’s signature on her aprons is a unique zig-zag stitch she uses to bind the material together.  

    Irene gets great satisfaction from making and giving away her creations.  Her aprons range from pink checkered to all flowered material.  She even makes specialty aprons for the holidays.  Currently, Irene is sewing white aprons with heart material around the bottom for Valentine’s Day.  Soon she will be working on pastel colored ones for Spring and Easter.

    Irene recently made 104 aprons that she gave to a church and 18 aprons for a friend who is sending them off to China.  She said she is proud that her aprons are all over the world.  Irene has even had her aprons displayed in the Hungarian Nationality Room in the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. 

    Born in Hungary, near Budapest, Irene and her family came to the United States in 1921.  They settled in Duquesne, where her father was a priest at St. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church.  In 1927, she married the late Geza Foley.  Together, they raised two sons and one daughter. 

    Irene has been a resident of Villa Angela at St. Anne Home for nearly three years and explains that she loves living here.  She said the people are very nice to her and that if she needs anything all she has to do is push a button and someone comes to help her.  Her family comes to visit her often and they even join her for dinner in the Fireside Dining Room at Villa Angela.  Irene said, “The food here is delicious and it’s better than going to a restaurant where it’s so expensive.” 

     Even though her 100^th birthday is approaching, Irene says she feels no older than 50.  She explains, “I don’t like to sit around and do nothing.  I keep my hands and feet busy all day.  I have no diseases, just old age setting in.”  Irene does not want a big birthday party but something tells me this is going to be a very special birthday for this very special young lady. 

December 2003 - Resident In The Spotlight…. Guadena Merlino

This edition’s Resident in the Spotlight is not only full of life at the young age of 91, he is also full of song.  Guadena Merlino has only been a resident at St. Anne Home for a few months but has already touched the hearts of so many staff members, visitors and the other residents.  Guadena can most often be heard singing love songs such as “I Had A Dream”, throughout the halls, although he admits he doesn’t know where this talent came from.  He explains that he never sang a little over a year ago then one day he started singing and hasn’t stopped since.  This love of singing not only brightens Guadena’s days but also those around him.

Guadena was born and raised in Sutersville, PA where he grew up with two brothers and five sisters.  He attended school in a wooden schoolhouse that was heated with a pot-bellied stove.  As much as he loved going to school, Guadena stopped attending at the age of 14 and went to work for a contractor.  There he learned to lay bricks and block and do many other trades.  These trades became useful later on in life when he was able to build his own house in Jeannette, which he describes as a lovely home with a beautiful view.  Guadena currently has two living brothers and his oldest sister, Mary, who is also a resident of St. Anne Home.

Guadena and his wife Laura were married for over 60 years.  They spent a great deal of time with one another.  Laura worked for her brother as a cook in a hotel and restaurant where Italian cuisine was the specialty.  Gaudena says that she could cook anything and it would be fabulous. Laura passed away over two years ago and Guadena says that he took care of her until her passing.

 Members of Ascension Church in Jeannette, Guadena and Laura would go on bus trips to Atlantic City nearly every month with other members of the church.  Although not a big gambler, Guadena said that Laura loved to play the slot machines.  Their travels also took them to Las Vegas four or five times and also to Italy in 1974. 

Guadena has one living son, Patrick, of whom he is very proud.  He said that he and his wife worked tirelessly to make enough money to send Patrick to college and law school.  All this hard work paid off because Patrick is now an Assistant District Attorney.  Guadena calls Patrick his star and the two of them make it a point to watch every Steelers game together.

When he was at home, one of Guadena’s favorite hobbies was gardening.  He planted a garden, from seeds, every year, which contained onions, garlic, corn, tomatoes, beans, and many other veggies.  He said he usually gave away a great deal of his fresh produce to friends and neighbors.

In his prime, Guadena was quite an athlete.  He enjoyed playing baseball, basketball, football, golf, and horseshoes.  He played football for a semi-professional team out of Jeannette, however it was baseball that almost got him into the big leagues.  Unfortunately, a football shoulder injury caused him to not make the cut during tryouts for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Guadena and his family are extremely happy with the care given at St. Anne Home. He commented on how nice the staff is to him.  His family said they see “a positive difference in him since being at St. Anne Home.”

If you get the opportunity to meet Guadena, he promises to sing you a song and it will be sure to brighten your day.

September 2003 - Resident in the Spotlight……..Maria O’Lear

Maria A. O’Lear graduated from Leechburg High School in 1954 as the class valedictorian.  She pursued her desire to teach and began her college career at the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957.  Maria was hired at Leechburg Area School District as a World Cultures/English teacher for the 1957-1958 school year.  While teaching, she continued her educational studies at Duquesne University where she obtained a Master of Education degree in 1963.  In 1965, Maria became one of the Leechburg Area School District’s librarians and continued in this position until her retirement in 1990.  Maria also was the owner and operator of “Missy’s Exercise Studio” where she taught aerobics and exercise procedures to the public.  After her retirement, she relocated to Naples, Florida. 

Traveling and reading books were two of Maria’s favorite things to do.  She loved to read and collect books, which is fitting for a librarian.  Maria’s travels have taken her all over the world.  She has journeyed to places such as Ireland, England, Scotland, Egypt, Greece, and Italy, just to name a few.  Her travel partners included her mother and aunt, who also were teachers.  

In October of 2002, Maria suffered a severe stroke which left her right side paralyzed and impaired her speech.  She returned to PA with her best friend, Donna Krasowski (pictured above with Maria), and entered St. Anne Home for recovery.  Maria is truly an example of someone who has fought a tremendously hard battle and is succeeding.  She strives continually to improve and be self-sufficient.  Maria has had her permanent feeding tube removed, after 10 months of eating nothing by mouth; she is walking extended distances with the help of an aide and a platform cane and does her exercises diligently each day.  Maria also enjoys attending daily mass in the chapel.

“Maria’s recovery, to this point, would not be possible without the dedicated hearts and tireless hands of the administration and staff at St. Anne Home,” says Maria’s best friend Donna.  “She thanks God for the love, care and dedicated concern of all who have helped and encouraged her.  God’s love is apparent here at St. Anne Home.”

June 2003 - Resident in the Spotlight…..Annie Laurie Martin

Many of you are probably already very familiar with Annie Laurie because of her kind heart and work in the community.  She has done so much during her lifetime that we wanted to highlight her good deeds and honor her as this month’s Resident in the Spotlight.  Mrs. Martin has been a resident of Villa Angela at St. Anne Home for over a year and during that time she has made quite an impression.

Annie Laurie is a native of Mobile, AL, where she grew up and eventually received her nursing degree from the Mobile Infirmary, which she said is still in existence.  After graduation, Annie Laurie served three years in the United States Navy.  During this time, she was stationed at Long Beach Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor and Oakland Naval Hospital.  Annie Laurie met her future husband, Willard Martin, while they were both in Pearl Harbor.  Since they were surrounded by some of their best friends, Annie Laurie and Willard decided to get married in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1944.  The couple felt being surrounded by the people they had grown so close to in the service was very important therefore they married while the gang was all together. 

Willard was originally from New Castle, PA so when they were discharged the couple moved back to Pittsburgh for three years.  From Pittsburgh they moved to Greensburg where they established a home and family.  Willard and Annie Laurie had four children, Willard Jr., Anna Marie, Bernadette and Daniel. 

Being a dedicated volunteer is something Annie Laurie prides herself on.  She was involved in starting Mutual Aide, serving meals at the Cathedral school cafeteria, and assisting at Head Start and Westmoreland Hospital, for over 35 years.  Annie Laurie was in the first class of the Hospice Program and remained involved for 20 years.  The Red Cross also benefited from Annie Laurie’s hard work and dedication.  She was a volunteer for the Red Cross for over 30 years and worked on the Blood Mobile, one or two days a month.  Mrs. Martin made many friends through her volunteer work.  Recently she was reunited with a fellow Red Cross volunteer when Mrs. Betty Long moved into Villa Angela.  Annie Laurie said, “I have met so many lovely people through the years.

In addition to her volunteer work, Annie Laurie was a member of the Greensburg Garden Club and also enjoyed sewing.  She explained that while others were shopping or running around, she loved to be at home sewing things for her family.  Over the years she has made many items including suits, gowns, pillows and slips.  Within the last few years, Annie Laurie made throws and pillows for grandchildren to take with them to college. 

Although her beloved husband has passed on, Annie Laurie’s memories still are strong.  She recalls times when her entire house was filled with her kids, their friends, neighbors, etc.  She would cook them all big meals and make sure they had a nice time.  Being close to her children was very important to Annie Laurie.  She loved that she was able to be there for her children to put them on the bus in the morning and to take them off in the afternoon.  Once again more children surround her, as she is a grandmother to six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  

Here at Villa Angela at St. Anne Home, Annie Laurie can be seen attending activities with fellow residents.  She also enjoys taking walks to the Nursing Center to visit other residents, some of who are long time friends.  Mrs. Martin said what she enjoys most about living at Villa Angela is that everyone is kind and friendly.  She added it’s the personal touch that the staff gives that improves the experience. 

March 2003 - Resident in the Spotlight....Catherine Devine

Pittsburgh Pirate spring training is right around the corner and St. Anne Home resident Catherine Devine couldn’t be happier.  Catherine is not only a devoted Pirate baseball fan; she is also this edition’s Resident in the Spotlight!

A native of Shady Side, PA, Catherine married her husband Joseph Devine in 1944 at Sacred Heart Parish in Shady Side.  The couple had five children, Cathy, Charles, Joanne, Joseph and Thomas.  Catherine’s husband passed away in 1977 after 33 years of marriage.  In addition to her five children, Catherine has 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way, due in May. 

Catherine was fortunate she was able to stay home with her children while they were growing up.  She gets a big smile on her face when she talks of all the good times she had with them and how nice it was that she was able to be a stay at home mom.  Her daughter Cathy says that her mother is an excellent cook.  Cathy explains that she has tried to duplicate her mother’s potato stuffing recipe for years but just can’t seem to get it “like mom’s”. 

Some of Catherine’s favorite activities include playing cards, 500 is her favorite game, although she can’t find anyone at St. Anne Home that plays.  She also enjoys playing Bingo and doing crossword puzzles.  One of her favorite activities at St. Anne Home is to attend the shows when singing groups come to perform. 

Catherine is a member of the resident council at St. Anne Home.  She enjoys being on the council because she feels it is vital for the staff to hear suggestions from the residents.  Going to mass in the chapel is also important to Catherine.  She is happy that she has the opportunity to attend everyday.

St. Anne Home has been Catherine’s home for just over a year and she says she likes living here.  Some of the facility’s best features are that it is clean and the people are nice.  She also said the meals are so big she can’t ever eat everything they give her, but the food is usually good.

Catherine is an outstanding woman who still has a great deal to offer the world.  Thank you Catherine, for sharing your life with us!

December 2002 - Resident in the Spotlight....Sam Stricker

A resident of Villa Angela at St. Anne Home, Sam Stricker is full of smiles, especially when there is a camera around.  Sam has resided at Villa Angela since 1998 when he and his wife, Mildred, moved in together.  Since then, Mildred has passed away but Sam has very clear and beautiful memories of his wife.  He even shared a very special picture of the two of them from when he was in the Air Force, stationed in Colorado.

Sam has always lived in or around the Greensburg area.  He explained that he grew up in Hadenville, which is a small coal-mining town between Youngwood and Greensburg.  In fact, this is where he met is wife.  Sam said that Mildred’s father owned a grocery store, several houses and even a beer garden in Hadenville.  They knew each other most of their lives and then decided to get married.

Sam and Mildred had two children, Sam Jr. and Eli.  They are members of the Serbian Church in Youngwood. 

Back in his younger days, Sam was quite the baseball player.  He played for several teams over the years but says he usually played for the ones that paid the most.  He explained that coalmining and steel mill towns would pay the best baseball players to play for them. 

When Sam was in his early 20’s, he entered the United States Air Force.  Appropriately, it was Veteran’s Day when Sam told me all about his time in the service.  He was a member of the 20^th Fighter Group, which was sent to England during World War II.  Germany had already begun to take over England and their job was to make sure Germany didn’t get any further.  Sam was a staff sergeant on the ground crew and was assigned to load up the fighter planes with ammo before they took off.  He mostly worked with the LC-F fighter planes.  Sam is very proud of a book that was written about his outfit entitled 20^th Fighter Group.  He has a copy of this book in his apartment and says he looks at it often. 

Sam was sent to be stationed in Florida but when he got there he decided Florida wasn’t for him.  He said that things were much too expensive, especially on soldier’s wages.  While he was there he ran into a gentleman who used to be an umpire in Greensburg.  He asked Sam to stay and play for a team he was coaching but Sam said he joined the Air Force to serve his country, not play baseball and he didn’t stay.

Bowling and listening to music are two of Sam’s favorite hobbies.  He says that he loves to listen to his tapes in his apartment, some of which he made himself.  Although Sam enjoys Polka music, he admits that he is not a very good polka dancer.  He remembers going to Fiedor’s Grove and just watching how good the dancers were.  Sam enjoys when the musical entertainers come to Villa Angela to play for the residents, especially Kevin.  He said, “He is really good.”  Sam also enjoys listening to Tamburitizan music and has seen many performances.

Sam enjoys going on bus outings with the other residents of Villa Angela, especially if it is for ice cream but he wishes more men would go on the trips.  Sam is a great gentleman to sit down and talk with.  He has had many great life experiences and is willing to share them.  Thanks Sam for sharing your interesting life with us. 

September 2002 - Resident in the Spotlight…..Ann Guiddy

When Ann was asked to be the Resident in the Spotlight for this edition of the AngeLines, she said, “I think you are going to be bored listening about me.”  After talking to Ann and learning about her 87 years on this earth, I would hardly say she has had a boring life.

Ann was born and raised in Jeannette, PA by her parents Sebastian and Carmella.  The family had eight children all together but only had the opportunity to raise four of them.  The other four passed away at early ages.  Ann was then the only girl and is currently the only living member of her family. 

Being the only girl in the family, Ann was a daddy’s girl.  He never wanted her to work and frequently got her out of doing her chores.  He would do them for her instead.  Ann shared that her father was a self-educated man and you “couldn’t fool him.”  Ann attended St. Boniface School in Penn, PA until the eighth grade. 

Ann’s childhood was full of good times.  She recalls with a huge smile on her face that dancing was her favorite thing to do in her spare time. 

Ann and her future husband, Joseph Guiddy, were introduced to one another by their parents who became friends when the Guiddy family moved into the neighborhood.  Ann said they met, became friends and then started dating.  They were joined in marriage when Ann was 22 years old and spent the next 29 years together.  Joseph was taken away from Ann much too early in life by a car accident. 

During their 29 years of marriage, Joseph and Ann had four children: Joseph, Dominic, Alfred and Donna.  Currently, Ann’s children live in Florida, Harrisburg and Jeannette.  From her four children, Ann has 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great great grandson.

Ann was never a workingwoman.  She explained that in those days woman weren’t supposed to work.  Her father never wanted her to work and neither did her husband.  She spent her time at home raising her children, which was a job in itself, but very enjoyable.

As an original member of St. Boniface Parish, Penn PA, Ann was a member of the parish’s Christian Mothers Organization.  Ann also participated in a card club and sewing club with other woman from the area.  She explained that they would all get together, have lunch, talk and just have a good time.

Ann likes to play Bingo here at St. Anne Home and attends Sunday mass in the chapel.  She also likes to get her hair done in the Beauty Shop.  She said they do a great job.  Her granddaughter comes often to paint her nails.  This week they chose silver!

“I haven’t met anyone who isn’t nice,” Ann explains about her time here at St. Anne Home.  She also said that since the staff is so kind and patient with the residents, it is important that the residents be kind and patient with the staff members. 

Ann said she has no complaints about her life.  “I have been spoiled by my family, my husband, my children, my grandchildren and lastly the good Lord.  I have nothing to ask for.”

    Ersilia DeLuca has been a resident here on the St. Anne Home campus since January 2000.  She first lived in Villa Angela, our assisted living center, and then moved to the nursing home in September 2001. 

                Born on February 22, 1904, Ersilia is the daughter of Maria Alexandria Polo and Donato Pillie.  She was born in Canonsburg, PA, but spent most of her childhood near Crabtree, PA.  Ersilia grew up there with her four sisters and two brothers.  She attended a Catholic grade school until the seventh grade.  At that time she was employed to do housework for others. 

                Ersilia was married in the early 1920’s to Caesar DeLuca, a gentleman who came to America just for her.  He traveled from Italy after serving in the Italian Army in World War I.  After the two were married they settled in Crabtree where they raised their four children, Ralph, Antonette, James and Mary.  Ersilia explained that she used to bake fresh bread daily in their outside oven and cook large meals for her family.  Of course Ersilia is famous for her Italian dishes, especially her spaghetti and meat sauce.

                Caesar and Ersilia were exceedingly devoted to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Every year on July 16^th, the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the town of Crabtree would hold a parade and the DeLuca’s would host a large picnic for their friends and family.  They served food throughout the day and people came from all over the area, even from out of state.  Caesar & Ersilia marched in the parade every year.  In fact, Ersilia has not missed a parade since the tradition began and is currently the oldest citizen to participate in the parade.  Although she can no longer walk the parade route, she is now driven in a car so she can still take part.  She said she is looking forward to being in the parade again this year.

                Having a large family is something that Ersilia is no stranger to, especially now.  She currently has four children, 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren!  She explained that many of them live far away so it is hard to see them all as frequently as she would like. 

                Ersilia is a member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish in Greensburg.  As an active member, she participated in The Autumn Leaves organization at the church for a number of years.  She also served as a member of the Rosary Confraternity and the St. Anne Home Women’s Association.  Every year for 20 years, Ersilia would crochet afghan’s for the Rosary group’s annual card party and for the St. Anne Home Women’s Association’s fundraisers.  Her afghans were the biggest prizes and the attendees looked forward to trying to win them annually.

                Here at St. Anne Home, Ersilia enjoys playing Bingo, going to music programs, doing crafts and visiting the chapel for daily mass.  She shared that Bingo is really worth playing when you win something!  She also added that she does not like doing the exercise programs!  When asked if she liked living here at St. Anne Home, Ersilia said, “Yes, I just love it!”

Ersilia says she feels honored to be this edition’s Resident in the Spotlight.  Well, Ersilia, it was an honor talking with you and learning about your long and full life.

            Staying busy has always been a priority for this edition’s Resident in the Spotlight.  Catherine “Kay” Withrow says since moving into Villa Angela, our assisted living center here at St. Anne Home, in July 2001, she has found time to do things she didn’t have time for before, like reading.  If you have ever been into Kay’s room, you will see a large bookcase full of mostly spiritual books that she is planning to read.

Kay was born to Ella and Harry Dailey in Michigan and had six siblings.  When Kay was nine, the entire family moved to Latrobe in order to help take care of her grandmother.  At that time, Kay attended Holy Family grade school and then went on to attend Latrobe High School.  She graduated and continued her education by attending Mount Mercy College for one year and then entered St. Francis School of Nursing.  Kay later received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing Education from California University of Pennsylvania. After graduation, Kay worked at Latrobe Hospital as a nurse for approximately five years and later worked in private duty.  She retired after teaching nursing students at WCCC.

Meade Withrow came into Kay’s life when her then current boyfriend introduced the two.  She said it was quite a controversy when she started dating Meade and not the other gentleman anymore.  The two were married in 1939, during WWII, and settled in Derry.  All together, the couple has five children, Kay, Meade Jr., Bernie, Pam, and Mark, and eleven grandchildren.  Kay boasts that one of her granddaughters, who is 14, dreams of being a lawyer when she grows up.  She has even started practicing her debating skills on her family!

Being involved in different organizations has always been important to Kay.  She is a member of the ANA, Association of Nursing, and The Secular Franciscans from Belle Vernon.  Kay is also involved with the Rosary Society at St. Joseph’s Church in Derry and started a rosary-making club at the church. 

She formed the group in 1989 after a long history of making them by herself.  The hobby started when Kay collected rosaries from family and friends to send to the missions.  She was then contacted by the leader of a new rosary prayer group in Africa who told her they only had ten rosaries for their 69 members.  She decided that there was no way she could collect as many rosaries as they needed, so she would buy directions and supplies and start making her own to send to the rosary group.  She has been making the rosaries since then and continues to send them to those in need. This group of dedicated ladies has spent hundreds of hours hand-making approximately 80,000 rosaries for missions around the world.  Kay has even gotten a picture of the rosary recipients with their rosaries in hand in appreciation of her efforts!

Here at Villa Angela, Kay likes to participate in bowling.  She also enjoys bus trips to local shopping centers and says her favorite store is the Dollar Store.  She says she likes that store because “you don’t have to ask how much things are.  You just know it’s a dollar!”  Kay also has a talent for painting portraits.  Currently she uses oil paint but she hopes to try watercolors soon.  She has several of her works hanging in her room.

The staff at Villa Angela is one of her favorite aspects about living here.  She said, “They just can’t do enough for you!  They are great!”

            Kay says she has had a wonderful and extremely fulfilling life with no regrets.  I hope we all are as lucky as she is!  Thank you Kay for sharing so much about your life with us.  You truly are a pleasure to chat with!

December 2001 - Resident Spotlight on….John Robert Rusbosin                     

John Rusbosin, better known to his friends as Bob, has been a resident here at St. Anne Home for the past three years.  He is married to Corinne Rusbosin and has 11 children, Susan, John, Robert, William, Edward, Nancy, Linda, Janet, Carol, Daniel, and Renee; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  As you can see, Bob has always been a family man.  He said he “thinks about them all constantly” and likes to look at their pictures in his room. 

Bob was born and raised in South Heights, PA, which is near Ambridge.   He lived there with his parents, John and Mary Rusbosin until his marriage in 1948.  Bob attended St. Veronica’s High School in Ambridge and then went on to St. Joseph’s Junior College in Kansas.  He later received his degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and is an honorary alumnus from St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

After graduation, Bob decided to open Rusbosin Furniture.  He was the owner for approximately 35 years until he sold the business to three of his children and stepped down to be an employee.  A few years later he decided to retire for good.

Bob and his wife of 53 years, Corinne, moved around from Bethel Park to Mt. Lebanon and finally settled in Latrobe 35 years ago where they are parishioners of St. Rose Church.  After Bob’s retirement, the couple started making frequent trips to Las Vegas.  They loved visiting that area so much they eventually moved there and claimed residency.  Corinne said it is a great place to live.  There are numerous churches and they are very active in the community.  On one of their visits, the Rusbosin’s found a church where they felt very comfortable.  They based their decision on where to buy a house on how close it was to this particular church.  Not long after the official move, Bob suffered a stroke and his children asked them to move back to Pennsylvania.

The move back brought Bob to St. Anne Home where he has been a resident ever since.  Here at St. Anne Home, you can find Bob taking place in many activities.  He enjoys watching sports on TV.  He said he likes watching the Steelers and Penguins but enjoys the Pittsburgh Pirates the best.   When asked what he thought of Mario Lemeuix, Bob commented, “Oh, he’s the best!”  Bob said he also likes going outside to sit in the gardens when it is warm outside. For cooler days, watching musicals interests him.  He said over the years, he has seen Oklahoma live at least 10 times!

Bob has a great sense of humor and quick wit!  If you need a smile, stop in and see him.  Bob is sure to have something to talk about! 

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