Edward Mathew Chekan

Age 96, of Collier, formerly of Upper St. Clair, passed away on September 6, 2021. Born September 2, 1925, in Trauger, PA. Grew up in Calumet, PA. Beloved husband of the late Georgianna (Georgie) Chekan. Father of Judith A. Kunkle (Jack) of Upper St. Clair and Edward G. Chekan, MD (Lisa) of Chapel Hill, NC. Grandfather of Elizabeth, Mary Claire and Ava Kunkle --- and Sarah, Emma and Laura Chekan. Survived by brother, Joseph (Baldwin Twp) and sister, Mary Louise Socher (Donald) Beaumont, TX. Brother of the late Thomas, John, Andrew, George and Paul Chekan and the late sisters, Margaret Dudas and Anna Marie Hanich. Ed graduated from Hurst High School in 1943 and 1951 graduated from Duquesne University with a BS degree in business administration. During World War II he served in the US Navy for three years as an aviation radioman aboard PBY aircraft and later as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Ed was a salesman, starting as a youngster in door-to-door sales during the Great Depression in the 1930's selling hand-picked blackberries, newspapers, magazine subscriptions, home remedies and delivering milk door-to-door -- ending his sales career with extensive traveling world-wide selling industrial equipment. Ed was employed by S.P. Kinney Engineers in Carnegie, PA as Vice President of Sales for over 40 years selling blast furnace valves and burners to the iron and steel industry - also motorized automatic self-cleaning strainers, handling large volumes of river, lake and sea water to fossil and nuclear power plants, chemical plants, paper mills and municipal water plants. He signed on and worked with sales representatives and licensees in over 30 countries in North and South America, Europe, South Africa, India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong large size strainers were used on sea water to air-condition shopping centers. In Australia one of his notable sales was to the Sydney Opera House. Ed was an avid reader and writer and edited brochures on Kinney equipment. He gave papers at conventions in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Toronto, Siegen (Germany), Tokyo and Sidney Australia. Also conducted yearly meetings of sales representatives in Vail, CO. Ed had the honor of having breakfast with President George W. Bush at the White House on November 11, 2003 representing the U.S. Navy during WWII. Friends welcome 4-6pm WEDNESDAY, WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp. 15220. Panchida Service at 5:00pm. Funeral Service 10:00 am THURSDAY, St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church, 2005 Mohawk Rd, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. www.slaterfuneral.com