Richard R. Hudachek

Richard R. Hudachek, age 63, of Elizabeth Township died January 30, 2014. He was born in New Kensington, on September 13, 1950 and is the son of the late John and Helen Fabjyk Hudachek. He was the 1968 Valedictorian of South Allegheny High School and received a Scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in Finance. He moved to New York City to pursue a career in the financial markets. In his final position with Merrill Lynch, he was the Director of Compensation and Benefits for the Pacific Rim, at their office in Sydney, Australia. Upon his retirement in 2001, he resettled in Western Pennsylvania. He was highly intellectual, a wordsmith, read 4-5 books a week, loved all genres of music, especially opera and classical. He was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and competitive tennis, however he detested golf. He was a volunteer for the former Peaceful Valley Hospice in PA and the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.

He is survived by his sister; Marcelline (Gerald) Cendroski of Liberty Borough, niece; Juli Burdette, husband Chad, of Tempe, AZ, great-niece; Rowen, aunt; Teresa Drazenovich of Springdale and cousins across the country. He was preceded in death by his constant companion, his dog, Ceasar. The two of them enjoyed daily walks on the Boston Trail in Elizabeth.

Family and friends will gather on Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412 678 6177). A gathering again will take place on Thursday at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. with a mass following at St. Angela Merici Church at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Kevin Dominik officiating.