Jerome "Jay" Ponko

Jay Ponko, 69, of Latrobe, passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family. Fighting to the end, he lost his courageous battle with cancer. He was born December 16, 1948, in Mt. Pleasant, PA, a son of the late Bernard A. Sr., and Kathryn Albright Ponko.  Jay was a United States Navy veteran serving two tours of duty in Vietnam aboard the USS Newport News, based out of Norfolk, VA.  He retired from Consol Energy Corporation as a mine foreman after 35 years in the mining industry.  He was a member of St. Vincent Basilica Parish and Trauger Club.  Jay was an avid golfer, and Pirates and Steelers fan. He loved being outside, gardening, and sitting on the back porch with his grand-pup Barney. Knowledgeable of any topic, there was never a dull moment when Jay was around. His main concern in life was taking care of his three “girlies.” In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew Ryan Senko.  Jay is survived by his wife of 30 years, Christine Wilson Ponko, two daughters; Aleisha M. McAteer (T.J.) of North Huntingdon and Tara M. Becker (Jeremy “J.B.”) of Youngwood, siblings; Virginia Puskar (Robert) of Mt. Pleasant, Thomas Ponko (Lynne) of Grove, OK, Bernard “Red” Ponko (Mary), Francis “Buddo”  Ponko (Louise), Marianne Bailey (Leonard) and Margaret “Sue” Senko (Edward), all of Mt. Pleasant, nieces and nephews; Amber, her husband Matt and their daughter Charlotte, Jeffrey, Stephen, Austin, Noah, and Joshua; special great-niece, Sydney. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Jay from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Sunday, September 23 and again on Monday, September 24 from 10-11 am at CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME, 409 W. Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-837-0020. Funeral Prayer Service will be held on Monday at 11am at the funeral home with Fr. Thomas Curry, OSB officiating.  Interment will immediately follow at West Newton Cemetery.  Jay’s family has entrusted his care to Pantalone Funeral Home, Inc., Greensburg.