Howard F. Armour

Howard F. Armour, 70, of Unity Township, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017, at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, after a five month battle with cancer. He was born June 14, 1947, in Homestead, the son of the late Howard F. Armour and Maguerite (Houser) Armour. He served his country honorably during the Vietnam War as a Sergeant in the Army 1st M IV BARS Division. Howard returned from Vietnam in 1969 and continued his education as a registered nurse, then became a certified registered nurse anesthetist. He also attained a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in counseling. After six years in clinical anesthesia, he became the director of the Westmoreland-Latrobe (now Excela Health) School of Anesthesia, a position he held for 30 years. He loved teaching and looked upon his students as family. He never fully retired because he enjoyed being in the classroom so much. In addition to his work, his family meant the world to him, and he spent as much time as possible with his wife, daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. At any gathering, Howard could be found surrounded by children, telling them outrageous stories or doing magic tricks. He was a voracious reader and loved movies. Howard is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Mary Alice (Kaszubowski) Armour; two daughters, Jennifer Stephens and her husband, David Wachter, and Joy Cusick and her husband, Eric; four beloved grandchildren, Cooper and Avery Stephens, and Julian and Jude Cusick; three sisters, Heidi Fancsali, of Pittsburgh, Rebecca (Mark) Roselli, of Rolla, Mo., and Kimberly (Paul) Hulzebos, of Lacey, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Howard will be remembered as a good man with a wonderful sense of humor, good nature, big smile and respect for all people.
Family and friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the JOHN J. LOPATICH FUNERAL HOME INC., 601 Weldon St., Latrobe. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent Basilica. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Entombment will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery Mausoleum where military honors will be accorded by the Greensburg VFW Post No. 33.
Memorial contributions may be made to your local Vietnam Veterans Association or to Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Trust Foundation for the School of Anesthesia in memory of Howard Armour, 1 Mellon Way, Latrobe, PA 15650. To sign online guestbook, send condolences or to view detailed obituary information, please visit www.lopatich.com.