Albert Roy Powell
Albert Roy “Buster” Powell, 96, formerly of Canonsburg, passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2018, in Washington, where he resided since 2011.
He was born April 10, 1922, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Albert and Harriet Black Powell.
Prior to World War II, he was trained and worked as a machinist at Canonsburg Iron & Steel. During the war, he was first trained to be an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps, but then became a pilot when given the opportunity, learning to fly in an open cockpit biplane. He continued to advance into bombers and heavy bombers, with the war ending before seeing duty oversees. However, he remained in the reserves afterward and transitioned into the U.S. Air Force when it was formed. He saw active duty during the Korean War, flying tactical cargo, and later flew supply missions during the Vietnam War. He served for almost 40 years in the military, retiring as a lieutenant colonel from the 911th U.S. Air Force Reserve squadron, based at Greater Pittsburgh International Airport. He was head of maintenance, air traffic control officer, flight test pilot and squadron leader.
He was also service manager at one time for Levin’s Nash automobile dealership and later Cummins’ Buick dealership, before opening his own service station in Canonsburg, first on Water Street and then on South Central Avenue.
He was an outdoorsman, having earned money during the Depression running a trap line where Southpointe Golf Course is now located. He raised and trained beagles in the ’50’s after coming home from the Korean War, and he won many field trials with his beloved Blackie. He was also a member of the former Canonsburg Hunting & Fishing Camp, also known as Log Cabin Camp, at Benezette in Elk County.
He loved cars, especially those from his teen years. He was a charter member of the Covered Bridge Chapter of Antique Automobile Club of America. He had several Model A Fords over the years and helped others in the restoration and maintenance of their vehicles.
He was a member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and trustee, and then was a member of Chartiers Hill United Presbyterian Church. He was also a Mason, member of Scottish Rite and a Shriner.
On April 8, 1949, he married Nancy Jayne Small, who passed away September 3, 2016. Together, they had a daughter, Deborah L. Powell, and a son, Eric C. Powell.
Also surviving is a son from his first marriage, A. Roy Powell, Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by a daughter from his first marriage, Marie A. Patten of St. Peters, Mo. Also deceased are two sisters, Mildred Speight and Hannah Zaccaglin, and a brother, Edward, all of whom in later years resided in the Los Angeles, Calif., area.
Surviving are sisters Harriet Kubicar of Canonsburg and Jo Ann Powell of McMurray; brothers Elmer of New Port News, Va., and James of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews and their families. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even a few great-great-grandchildren.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, LFD, owner/supervisor, Darla A. Tripoli, LFD, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, September 21, with the Rev. Peggy Shannon of Chartiers Hill United Presbyterian Church leading the service. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Chartiers Township. A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in memory of Albert be made to Friends of Haiti, P.O. Box 1441, McMurray, PA 15317, or City Mission, 84 West Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301.
To view or leave condolences, visit www.salandrafunerals.com.