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William "Willie" Takacs, Sr.

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | June 06, 2022

William “Willie” Takacs, Sr., age 96 of North Huntingdon, passed away Friday, June 3, 2022 at his home. Born October 7, 1925 in Duquesne, he was a son of the late Steven and Catherine (Horvat) Takacs.

Willie was a member of Mary, Mother of God Parish – St. Patrick’s Church in McKeesport and was a faithful Catholic who loved to sing hymns at Mass. “Pap” loved his family and was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He especially loved gathering with everyone on Sundays for spaghetti dinner.

Willie retired after 38 years as a brakeman and conductor for the Union Railroad and loved to tell everyone that he retired for as many years as he worked. He was a member of the “Greatest Generation” and a Veteran of World War II, having served in the Navy aboard the heavy cruiser USS Louisville and was very proud of his service to his country. When asked, he proudly recalled his war stories and campaigns aboard the Louisville in the South Pacific.

Willie’s greatest joy, besides his family, was golf. He learned the game as a young boy caddying at Duquesne Country Club and played on the golf team at Duquesne High School. He lived to say that he had been playing golf for 85 years. He was a scratch golfer who first shot his age at 69 and continued to shoot his age well into his 90s. Willie played most of his golf at Butler’s Golf Course in Elizabeth and knew the course so well that he would hit his drive and immediately get the next club out of his bag for the second shot. Last summer, he could still be seen playing there on Tuesdays and Fridays with his “Bullchipper” buddies.

Willie lived a full life and in his later years loved to say: “Don’t worry about me; I had a great run.”

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years Gloria (DiMucci) Takacs, who passed away October 29, 2020, and his siblings: Steve, Nick, Charlie, John, Luke Takacs and Ethel Bellas; and his great-grandson James Patrick Mamas. Willie is survived by his sons Ray (Kathleen) Takacs and William E. (Dawn) Takacs, Jr.; his grandchildren Kate (Angelo) Takacs Rometo, Thomas (Mindy) Takacs, Timothy (Jennifer) Takacs, and Stacy (Adam) Hardy; and his great-grandchildren John, Anne, and Sara Mamas, Eva Rometo, Levi, Elliot, and Collin Takacs; and Ashton, Liam, and Delaney Hardy.

Friends will be received in the Daniel F. Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory, 4504 Walnut Street, Versailles, PA 15132 on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 from 2 PM until 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 10 AM in Mary, Mother of God Parish – St. Patrick’s Church, McKeesport with Fr. John Moineau officiating. Procession and burial with military honors will follow to Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. Arrangements made by the Daniel F. Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory (412) 678 3454 www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, 11400 St. Agnes Lane, North Huntingdon, PA 15642.

Originally published June 06, 2022.

Other deaths:
"Ethel Allan" || "Harold N. Fawcett"