William H. Gausman
Lifelong Ridgway resident, William (Bill) H. Gausman, 89, of 409 Oak St., Ridgway, went to be with Our Lord on June 25, 2022 at Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys, PA, where he had been living since November 2019.
He was born on December 24, 1932 to Edward and Elizabeth Proesl Gausman. Bill was the middle son of triplet boys who were the youngest in a family of 12. In 1950, he graduated from St. Leo Catholic High School and got his first job wrapping bread at Old Tyme Bakery followed by testing samples in the lab at the Sinclair Valentine Company (ink plant) where he remained until his induction in the U. S. Army, serving from 1953 to 1955. Following his honorable discharge, Bill attended Erie Technical School and went on to own his own business, Ridgway TV Repairs, which he operated for 26 years.
Mr. Gausman’s service to his family, church and the community was his greatest gift. As a devout Catholic and a member of St. Leo Magnus Church, he served in many capacities to support the parish including as an altar boy, usher, council member and as the manager for St. Leo Cemetery Association. He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1064. Bill volunteered on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for 12 years, 1980-1992. He was a member of the American Legion Post 0208 for over 65 years and held a 50-year voting record in the PA Voter Hall of Fame.
Bill was a dedicated member of the Ridgway Fire Department, Second Ward for 41 years including being First Assistant from 19681975 and Fire Chief from 1975-1989. He was the Chief at the time of the train accident that destroyed the Second Ward fire hall and equipment, eventually overseeing the rebuilding of the facility. In November 1978, a truck was dedicated in his honor.
A quiet man with a subtle sense of humor, Bill enjoyed gardening in his backyard garden as well as in the expanded garden at his brother’s farm in St. Marys, sharing the harvest with others. Spending time with his brothers, sisters and his many nieces and nephews either in his garden, hunting or at camp always made him happy. Every year Bill would spend five days at hunting camp where he would perfect his skills of baking cinnamon rolls, bread, pies and the evening meals.
Mr. Gausman’s survivors include his brothers Thomas Gausman of St. Marys and James Gausman (Rae), of Ridgway and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, Edward and Elizabeth Gausman, his sisters, Marian Gausman, Grace Gausman (in infancy), Edna Gausman (Sister Judith, SSJ), Jeanne Gausman (Sister Anita James, SSJ) and Helen Zawacki (Bill), his brothers, Howard, Daniel, Gerard, and Robert Gausman, and three nephews and a niece.
A Mass of Christian Burial for William H. Gausman will be celebrated at St. Leo Magnus Church on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. with Military Honors accorded by the Ridgway Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Officiating will be Fr. Justin P. Pino, Pastor of St. Leo Magnus Church. Burial will follow at St. Leo Cemetery. Family and friends will be received at Thompson Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 5-8 p.m. A Wake Service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 7:45 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Leo Catholic School, 125 Depot St., Ridgway, PA or the Ridgway Fire Department. Share your online condolences at thompsonfuneralhomepa.com.