Thomas Scott Shronovich, 77, of Airport Road, Eighty Four, died at 10 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 1998, in his home following a six-month illness. He was a 1940 graduate of Bentleyville High School and received his initial pilot training from Belle Vernon Airport. During World War II, Mr. Shronovich served with the U.S. Army Air Corps 2nd and 4th Division as a gunner instructor and a member of the Standardization Board. From 1940 to 1942 and 1946 to 1951, he was a welder for Ontario Mine. In 1951, he became a DC-3 co-pilot with Capital Airlines, Pittsburgh. He continued his flying career with United Airlines as a DC-8 captain until his retirement October 10, 1981. Mr. Shronovich was a private flight instructor and organizer of the "Ramrods," who established the first Washington, D.C.-based domicile "Fly In" held at Frederick County (Md.) Airport. He served as a past president of the Retired United Airline Employee Association. He was a member of the Retired United Airline Pilots Association, Capital Airlines Employees Association, Croatian Fraternal Union, Cokeburg, and Nemacolin County Club, Beallsville. On December 5, 1942, he married Mauvoreen E. "Rusty" Brooks, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Judith E. Donaldson of Eighty Four; two brothers, Frank Shronovich of Eighty Four and George Shronovich of Avella; two sisters, Agnes Gruhalla and Kay Shumaker, both of Eighty Four; a granddaughter, Erica Nicole Donaldson; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased is a sister, Mary Lustik. Copyright ©1998 Observer Publishing Co.Last updated Monday, November 30, 1998Thomas S. Shronovich
WWII veteran was commercial airline pilot
He was born October 10, 1921, in Cokeburg, a son of Thomas Scott and Anna Zitkovic Shronovich.