Major John J. Richey, USAF Ret., 95 of Uniontown, Pa., passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 7, 2017. He was born in Connellsville, Pa., on May 10, 1921, son of the late Joseph and Clara (Elias) Richey. He was the last member of his immediate family, preceded in death by his brother Richard Richey, and his sister Elizabeth George.

John was the beloved husband of the late Josephine (Davis) Richey, whom he married in 1943. They were married for 63 years, before her death in 2006. Together they raised five children, and built upon three generations of entrepreneurship in the food and restaurant industry. His innovative and visionary creativity inspired unparalleled success in his restaurants, deli, bakery, catering, and candy businesses. He was a member of St. George Maronite Catholic Church, and member and Past President of the Western Pennsylvania Master Bakers Association.

At the rank of Major, John proudly served his country as a Master Navigator with the United States Air Force, during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1972, he retired as a member of the Air Force Reserve, 911th Military Airlift Group.

He will be deeply missed by the community for his kindness, loyalty, dedication, and generosity. He was truly a member of the greatest generation

Surviving are his children, John Randolph Richey and his wife Joanne Richey of Uniontown, Clare Richey Meehan and her husband William P. Meehan, and Barbara Richey Chait and her husband Gerald Chait, all of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Joseph Thomas Richey of Uniontown, Pa., and James Matthew Richey and wife Donna Nudo of West Palm Beach, Fl.; grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Meehan and fianc Stanley Parker of Pittsburgh, Pa., William Philip Meehan, Jr. and fianc Alyssa Vance of Lexington, KY, Benjamin Milton Chait of New York, NY, and Hanna Richey Chait of Pittsburgh, PA; a niece Cindy Stull of California, and a nephew, C. H. Swan of Jacksonville, FL.

Friends will be received at the Stephen R. Haky Funeral Home, Inc., 603 N. Gallatin Ave., Ext., Uniontown, PA, on Friday, January 13, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., and on Saturday, January 14 until 10:30 a.m. when Prayers of Ghinnaz will be said.

The Divine Liturgy will follow on Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. George Maronite Catholic Church, 6 Lebanon Terrace, Uniontown, PA, with Father El-Badaoui Habib as celebrant. Entombment will follow at Sylvan Heights Cemetery Mausoleum, Uniontown, where military honors will be accorded by George C. Marshall AMVETS Post 103.

The Parish Rosary will be held on Friday at 5 p.m. in the funeral home chapel

Memorial contributions may be made to St. George Maronite Church, 6 Lebanon Terrace, Uniontown, PA 15401

Your personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com.