Charles Kraus

Charles E. Kraus Jr., born July 29, 1929 in Aliquippa, PA., the son of Charles E. Kraus Sr. and Julia Greiner Kraus, was the oldest of four siblings. He attended St. Veronica's High School in Aliquippa, PA, where he served as captain of the basketball team and graduated at the top of his class with honors.

At age 17, he served in the Air Force and was the youngest Sergeant serving at that time. He had flown on several dangerous missions, the last of which resulted in a crash leaving him and only one other crew member surviving. Upon leaving military service, he attended Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, PA. and earned his degree in electrical engineering while working simultaneously at the local steel mill.

After graduating from Carnegie Tech in 1954, he was employed at General Electric and served there until his retirement in 1993. Early in his career, he was involved in programming the first computer systems used by G.E. In the 1960's, he served on government contracts, including the Polaris Missile project. The project involved the launching of nuclear missiles from submarines. He later went on to play a key role as head manager in the development of the transportation division at G.E. He was well respected by those that worked for him and was regularly praised as always being "fair, honest, and balanced" when dealing with those around him. Throughout his career he earned many awards for his achievements but

always remained modest, refusing to boast of his abilities and enterprises. His proudest achievement was the placement of three computer circuit

boards in a G.E. locomotive, which blazed the path for 20 plus years of world leading engineering.

Despite a successful career that frequently sent him around the world, he always took great pride in his family. He married the love of his life, Agatha Sicari, in 1957. They went on to have seven boys and one girl. He enjoyed spending time with his family, often taking them on many memorable vacations.

His hobbies included: fishing, golfing, music, woodworking, softball, gardening, canning pickles, and bowling. He frequently earned awards in all of his hobbies, in particular, the feat of bowling a perfect 300 game.

He attended Holy Cross Church in Fairview and served as a long-time usher as well as other duties.

He was preceeded in death by his brothers Norman and Ted aka "Butch", and his sister Mary Lou, also by his two sons Paul and Charles.

He is survived by his wife Agatha, his children: Steven Kraus, Sr. and his wife Manon, Jeanne Kraus, John Kraus and his wife Lisa, Peter Kraus and his wife Gwynne, Joseph Kraus, Michael Kraus and his wife Julie; seven grandchildren: Kelly Kraus Wickson, Steven Kraus Jr., Bonnie Kraus, Richard Kraus, John Kraus, Kaitlyn Kraus, Nathan Kraus; one great grandchild: Caellan; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 7100 West Ridge Road, Fairview, on Saturday, December 15th at 12:00 noon with Rev. Scott Detisch presiding. A luncheon will follow in the Reilly Center. Memorials may be made to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16501.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East in Girard. Condolences may be sent at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com