Sofya Berdicherskaya
Passed away March 1, 2019
Carolyn Wilson
Passed away February 25, 2019
Vincent M. Williams Sr.
VINCENT MARTIN WILLIAMS, SR., affectionately known as “Man” to his family peacefully departed this life in his home on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 in the company of his family. On May 4, 1930, he was the second born of eleven children to the late Joseph and Margaret Williams in Pittsburgh.
He was raised in the Homewood-Brushton area and received his formal education in the Pittsburgh Public School system, and attended the Holy Rosary Catholic Parish. At a young age, he was mechanically inclined. His passion was vehicles…any vehicle. He also loved sports and was a proficient baseball player.
In 1947, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He also had a brief stint with the U.S. Naval Reserve. His service to his country lasted three years. After his honorable discharge at the MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, he was unable to find steady employment due to the segregated South. He returned to Pittsburgh where he held several positions with companies like Hussey Steel, VA Hospital, and Yellow Cab, to name a few. Following these short term occupations, he started his career with the Port Authority Transit as a laborer and achieved a position as maintenance foreman. He worked there 25 years until his retirement.
In 1951, Vincent met and married Rosarita Yates. They were married 37 years. From this union, he fathered six children. As part of his legacy, he was a great provider, a positive role model, and raised his children with stability and strength.
After his marriage, Vincent established a meaningful relationship with the late Susie Ferguson, and to affirm the couple’s bond, they raised Susie’s great nephew, Robert Lee Lucky, from his infancy.
He was a man of many talents. Most notable, was his unparalleled work ethnic, incredible acumen as a carpenter, plumber, and mechanic. During his leisure time, he could be found watching the local and world news, Jeopardy, and a good baseball game. He also loved listening to jazz and blues.
Finally, the challenges associated with his medical condition prompted him to surrender his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Vincent was preceded in death by his four brothers, Mark, Peter, Leo and Samuel Williams; one sister, Cecil Williams. He leaves to cherish his memory the mother of his children, Rosarita Williams; six loving children: Vincent Williams,Jr., Mark (Pam) Williams, Deborah Williams-Cutrary, Darnell Williams, Patricia (Thomas) Christian, and Rita (Canard) Grigsby; a grafted son and brother, Robert Lee (Carissa) Lucky; two sisters: Sylvia (Harry) Powell, Margaret (Joseph) Boxley; three brothers: David (Sandy) Williams, George (Marilyn) Williams and Thomas (Darlene) Williams; 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Rose Mary Davis
of Penn Hills’ Lincoln Park Community, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 16, 2019. She passed peacefully at home – the same home that she was raised in and spent the majority of her life. Rose Mary was born March 3, 1950 to parents Fritz and Mary Davis. Her older brother Richard Davis, a retired PA State Trooper, passed in April 2018. Her younger sister, Joyce Davis, is the Executive Director of the Lincoln Park Community Center as well as the Executive Director of The Western Pennsylvania Center for Just Solutions, Inc. Rose Mary was essentially a life-long resident of Penn Hills, having moved to the community at just 5 years old. She graduated from Penn Hills High School and earned a BA degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Counseling. She was an elementary school teacher and counselor in the Penn Hills School District. She was concerned about the lack of diversity of the Penn Hills School District staff and would often visit colleges to encourage minority students to apply for open educational positions in Penn Hills School District. Her efforts were usually not met with enthusiasm, or even approval, from those around her. This did not discourage Rose Mary from work she believed important. Rose Mary went on to become the First Vice President of the Penn Hills NAACP Unit # 2278. She would use this platform to continue her advocacy. After retiring from the school district, she continued to serve as a student advocate for many students. She enjoyed providing the unit with a Black History Tea and she loved sharing the wealth of great inventions and advocacy of Black people. She loved the Lord, was baptized as a young child, and loved to visit local churches. Rose Mary lived out her faith as she volunteered at the Lincoln Park Community Center Food Pantry and many other center events. According to her wishes, Rose Mary remained in her home to the very end. The familiar surroundings helped to keep her peaceful despite the physical challenges posed by her failing health. Visitation with family and friends will be Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at Rolling Hills Church, (120 Gernert Drive, Verona, PA 15147). The Christian funeral service will immediately follow the visitation time and will be led by Pastor Greg Drayer. Donations to Just Solutions are requested in place of flowers. The Mission of the Western Pennsylvania Center for Just Solutions is to assist all individuals, businesses, and organizations in seeking to create, find, and implement solutions to economic, racial, and societal problems. The Western Pennsylvania Center for Just Solutions will support and promote those solutions that uplift ALL of “us” – either individually or collectively – rather than continually divide us and tear down others. Checks can be sent to: Western PA Center for Just Solutions, Inc., c/o Lincoln Park Community Center, 7300 Ridgeview Ave., Penn Hills, PA 15235.
Robert Yee
Age 91 of Point Breeze, Pittsburgh, formerly of New Kensington, passed away January 19. Survived by wife, Charlotte; and daughters, Jennifer Yee, Karen Yee (Randy Waldrop), Cynthia (Yee) Levick (Emery Levick); and two grandchildren, Rowan and Andrea. Bob, a WWII Army Veteran, became a professor of microbiology and assistant department head at the Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh. The bacterium Paracoccus yeeii was named in recognition for his work in infectious diseases. His true calling came from mentoring countless students. Baba, as his grandkids called him, arrived before sunrise daily to make them breakfast, help get them off to school and then walk the dog. On his walks, he enjoyed talking to neighbors in the Point Breeze community. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Bob Yee Fund. Check made to University of Pittsburgh, subscript “The Bob Yee Fund” send to University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Attn: Ms. Robin Tierno, 2116 Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. We will celebrate Bob’s life on Saturday, January 26th at 11:30 a.m., in the chapel of Homewood Cemetery.
Eunice McNeice
Passed away Tuesday February 14, 2019
