September 11, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Obituaries

Frank Yarosh

Frank Yarosh

Frank Yarosh, 83, formerly of Chestnut Hill, an engineer, author and decorated World War II veteran, died Aug. 28 at the Maris Grove Retirement Community in Glen Mills, where he had been a resident for the past year.

At the time of his retirement in 1987, Mr. Yarosh was customer service manager for the Philadelphia Gas Works, where he had been employed for 37 years.

Mr. Yarosh and his wife, the former Margaret McHutchinson, lived in Chestnut Hill for nearly five decades. Mr. Yarosh was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, where he was a Sunday school teacher and an ordained deacon.

Mr. Yarosh served as an infantry scout for the 274th Infantry Regiment of the 70th Division in France during the winter of 1944-45. He was captured by German S.S. troops in a Maginot Line pillbox in January 1944 and interned in prisoner of war camps in Germany until April of that year, when he was liberated by the British army.

For his service, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground combat, and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Mr. Yarosh recounted his World War II experiences in a book, World War II is Not Over, published in 1992 and reprinted in 2001. Story rights for the book were purchased with the intent to produce a full-length film, but the producer was unable to raise the $55 million needed for production.

In September 2005, Mr. Yarosh recalled his wartime experiences in a one-hour live telecast on the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN).

Born in Lopez, Pa., he graduated from Dushore High School in 1942. He attended Brigham Young University for seven months as an engineering student in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). After completing his military service, he attended Bucknell University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering.

He was a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania.

He was a member of the Disabled Veterans Association, the Ex-Prisoner of War Association and the American Legion.

He enjoyed carpentry, fishing, gardening and writing.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Yarosh is survived by sons Alan Henry and David Scott, both of West Chester; a sister, Martha Chronis, and six grandchildren. A brother, John; a sister, Mary Nadiak, and an infant granddaughter, preceded him in death.

A private inurnment/committal service will be conducted at the convenience of the family at West Laurel Hill Chapel and Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd. Memorial donations may be sent to the National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance, 1314 Bedford Ave., Suite 210, Baltimore, MD, 21208.

Karen L. Knox

Karen Louise Knox, 58, of Germantown, a mental health professional, died Aug. 5 at the Willow Terrace Nursing Home in Germantown.

Ms. Knox retired in 2005 for medical reasons from the Valley Forge Medical Center where she had worked as a therapist. Earlier she had been a supervisor at centers operated by Northwest Human Services.

Born in Philadelphia, Ms. Knox traveled extensively with her family as a young woman after her father, the late Dr. Clinton E. Knox, was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Haiti, and later to Dahomey in West Africa.

She attended schools in France, Nigeria and the United States. She received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in psychology from Fisk University.

She is survived by a brother, William E. Knox.

Memorial services were held Aug. 24 at Calvary Episcopal Church Northern Liberties in Philadelphia.

Mark A. Scott

Mark Scott, 55, formerly of Fort Washington, died of cancer Aug. 27 in Louisville, Colo.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Scott was the son of the late Walter and Mildred Markey Scott. He attended St. Genevieve’s parish school and LaSalle and Plymouth-Whitemarsh high schools.

He is survived by four sisters, Diane Scott, Claire Scott, Nancy deCastro and Suzanne Ruck.

Memorial services will be held in Manchester, Vt., and Flourtown at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Lodge, 7 Oak Street, Worcester, MA 01609, or the Boulder County Hospice, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO  80026.

Silvio Chiodo

Silvio Chiodo, 88, of Chestnut Hill, died Sept. 5 at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Mr. Chiodo is the father of Pierlisa Steo, a local actress who has appeared frequently in productions of The Stagecrafters theater company.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Chiodo is survived by his wife, Maria Rosa; a son, George, and a grandson.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., in Chestnut Hill. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.