Armand J. Vanek

Armand J. Vanek, of Greensburg, passed onto heaven on Monday, July 18, 2011. He was born March 17, 1960. He was the beloved husband of Philomena M. DeBone-Vanek; and loving father of Isabella A. (7 years), Zachary F. (9 years), Olivia J. (12 years), and stepdaughter, Briana Jacobs (15 years). Armand was preceded in death by his father, Frank J. Vanek; mother, Josephine Muha-Vanek; brother, Joseph Vanek; nephew, Arlen Vanek; stepmother, Margaret Willem-Vanek; stepbrother, Victor Willem; and father-in-law, Angelo DeBone. Armand is survived by his brother, Francis Vanek, of Fort Bragg, Calif.; sister, Marian and husband, Daniel Griffin, of Pittsburgh; sister, Carol and husband, Scott Bodamer, of Pittsburgh; sister, Paula and husband, James Kingston, of Warren; sister, Michele Vanek, of Pittsburgh; brother, Matthew and his wife, Karin Vanek, of Pittsburgh; sister, Annette and husband, Edward Durner, of Cranbury, N.J.; stepbrother, Ray Willem, of Pittsburgh; stepbrother, Marty Willem, of Erie; mother-in-law, Amelia DeBone, of Greensburg; sister-in-law, Angela and husband, Jeff Kucenic, of Greensburg; brother-in-law, Sam and his wife, Diane DeBone, of Greensburg; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Armand earned his BS in civil engineering from Penn State University. He earned his MS in engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He became a licensed engineer (PE) through the NCEES. He was also an adjunct professor of engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He was the vice president of manufacturing and an engineer of Thermal Transfer Corp. in Duquesne, owned by Hamon Corp. of New Jersey. When Armand wasn't working, spending time with his children or completing house projects, you would find him on the golf course. He loved to golf! Armand was a man in every sense of the way. From the actions he showed, to the words he would say. A friend to us all, and a devoted father of four, strong in his faith and courage to the core. He brought us closer to God, with his passion and love, from St. Paul Church to the heavens above. The lives he has touched, will last for generations to come. And the "Vanek spirit" will continue to shine with every rise of the sun. We would like to give a special thanks to Father Tom Federline for his spiritual guidance and loving support to Armand and his family. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 516 Stanton at Green streets, Greensburg. Prayers at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Paul Parish, Greensburg, with the Rev. Thomas A. Federline as celebrant. Interment will follow in the Greensburg Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Armand to St. Paul's Faith Formation (K-5th) and the Youth Group (6th-12th). Instilling faith and compassion in our children's lives was extremely important to Armand. Donations may be sent to Attn: Father Tom Federline, St. Paul Parish, 820 Carbon Road, Greensburg, PA 15601. www.bachafuneralhomeinc.com.