Anthony J. Ugolnik, 90

Anthony J. Ugolnik, Sr., 90, left this life on August 30, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Home in Hollidaysburg, where he resided with his wife, Jennie A. Ugolnik to whom he was married for 65 years. Born on May 7, 1918 in Claremont, New Hampshire, he moved as a child to Detroit Michigan with his parents Karl and Teressa Ugolnik.  He spent his working life in Detroit where he was a welder, a shop steward, and a local union official for the United Steelworkers of America.  He lived his retirement years in Arcadia, Florida and then joined his family in Lancaster before he entered the VA home.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in France and Germany during WWII.  Decorated for valor in battle and given the Purple Heart, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, released Nazi camp survivors in Germany, and was injured retrieving a wounded soldier from the line of fire.  He was a lifelong member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He never vaunted his military service and especially despised the use of veterans to advance a political agenda.  He was passionate about social justice, labor unions, and the American worker; and he battled racism with vigor long before it was fashionable, or even safe, to do so.

He never backed down, even during the depth of the McCarthy era, from his leftist political leanings.  Religious to the core of his being, he upheld the separation of church and state, and called clergy to account if they confused nationalism with theology.

He lived a long life, true to the American ideals he believed would survive despite what he saw as their betrayal in his last years.  He is survived by his loving wife Jennie, a proud son Anthony Ugolnik, Jr. and daughter-in-law Elaine G. Ugolnik who live in Lancaster, and two sisters: Anna Skoczyn of Detroit and Irene Ugolnik of Au Gres, Michigan.  He left three grandchildren: Adam Ugolnik married to Faye Z. Ugolnik of California; Marya Ugolnik Ziegler married to Matthew Ziegler of New York; and Zachary Ugolnik in Boston.  It was a special joy for him in his last illness to see his great granddaughter, Samantha Ugolnik, of California.

The funeral and viewing will be held at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church. 399 Charles Street, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, 19320.  The viewing will begin at 9:30 AM on Thursday, Sept. 4th, and the Panakhida or funeral service will begin at 10:30 AM.  The interment will be held at Conestoga Memorial Park, Lancaster September 4th at 3:30PM.  It is requested that contributions be sent to the South Africa Orphans’ fund at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church, or to the Obama/Biden campaign for the victory of the Democratic Party in November. Arrangements are by the Charles f. Snyder Funeral home, Lancaster. To send online condolences, please visit www.snyderfuneralhome. com