ADVERTISING

Edward “Eddie G” Bernard Gombos

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 28, 2024

On Tuesday December 24, 2024, Edward “Eddie G” Bernard Gombos, age 95, of Jefferson Hills passed away in his sleep. Married for 44 years to the late Martha (Vitak) Gombos.

Oldest of six sons born to the late Paul and Mary (Ballas). Survived by his brother Tom of Venice, FL. Preceded in death by brothers George, Paul, John and Bobby; his daughter Arlene (Robert) Madden; and grandson William James (B.J.) Vetter. Proud father of Kathy (Roberto) Rosas of Tunnel Hill, GA; Eddie (Luz) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Christine (Kenny Sutton) Turney of Scott Township, PA; and Patty of Rook Station, PA. Grandpa to Danny Bo Doutt of Goodlettsville, TN; and Ryan Madden of Rillton, PA. Graduate of Rankin High School-1947; Pittsburgh School of Traffic & Transportation; Dale Carnegie courses. Ed played football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, and dancing. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War.

At the age of 21, on his 30^th day of active duty, he was hit by hand grenades while advancing uphill during the Battle of Triangle Hill, on September 21, 1951. Ed argued with his doctors to save, rather than amputate his right arm. Recovery time included 18-months of physical and vocational therapy. Retired from Westinghouse at the age of 58, after 33 years of service at four divisions; Bettis Plant, Large, Astro Nuclear, and Waltz Mills sites. Prior to beginning his career at Westinghouse, Ed’s resume includes positions at Martin & Munion Burial Vault Company in Oakland; Valley Dairy in East Pittsburgh, door-to-door egg salesman, and a vegetable huckster on the streets of Rankin, Homestead, Duquesne and Munhall.

He was a former member of the Rankin Christian Center (coached by former Rankin Mayor Matt Furjanic); Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914; Disabled American Veterans Association; Purple Heart Association; Men’s ‘Over 60’ Golf Club/League at South Park; former president of Rebel Golf League (sponsored by Westinghouse Waltz Mills); President/Treasurer of various bowling leagues; lifetime parishioner and former office of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Rankin.

Ed was a member of the Gombos Brothers Basketball Team – inducted into the East Boros Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. He was an assistant Scoutmaster for the Jefferson Borough Boy Scouts Troop 79; and a former manager of Jefferson Borough Little League Baseball Teams.

Eddie G considers his family life, five children and three grandsons as his greatest accomplishment. When asked about his secret to life, he would say, “I never smoked, I never drank, and I never hung around wild men.” We would then ask him, “Well, what about wild women?” He said he never met any! Eddie G will be deeply missed by his loving family, beloved cousins, numerous nieces, close friends, fellow parishioners, former colleagues, and all those many people whom he made smile with those beautiful baby blues, contagious sense of humor, and warm heart of gold.

Click here to read Edward’s “My Story” in his own words.

Arrangements

Friends received Friday 1 p.m.to 6:30 p.m. at . . .

James F. Kutch Funeral Homes & Crematory
433 Lincoln Highway
East McKeesport, PA 15035
(412) 823-4054

Panachida on Saturday at 9 a.m. with Divine at 10 a.m. by Rev. Nicholas Ferencz of St Michael’s Orthodox Church. Burial will follow with full military honors at St Nicholas Orthodox Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, 146 Third Avenue, Rankin, PA 15104.

Originally published December 28, 2024.

Other deaths:
"George Popovich" || "Frank R. McClain"