C ity of McKeesport News
In partnership with Cocoa Elite and the Appalachian
Bicycle Racing Association, the City of McKeesport
hosted the fourth annual McKeesport Grand Prix on
April 16. Volunteers from the McKeesport Recreation
Board helped race workers welcome nearly 150
cyclists from across Southwestern Pennsylvania to
their Renziehausen Park route. The event included
multiple races, including a children’s lap that was open
to the public. Photo by Cassie Petzer
NAACP Pancake Breakfast
The NAACP McKeesport Unit hosted its annual
pancake breakfast in celebration Black History Month
on February 6 at the Common Ground Building in
McKeesport. Public officials and community residents
gathered for a hearty meal of pancakes, sausage and fruit
to raise funds for the McKeesport-based organization,
which hosts community activities and public awareness
events throughout the calendar year.
McKeespor t
McKeesport Grand Prix
McKeesport
Remembers
Namesake
Merchant
Marine Ship
Each year on April 29,
veterans, dignitaries and
community residents
gather at McKees Point to remember the SS McKeesport – not only
to mourn the loss of this ship, as it sank on April 29, 1943, but also to
remember its service to the United States of America.
After transporting supplies to England on its final voyage, the SS
McKeesport sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after being torpedoed
by a German U-boat. But this ship’s history extends far beyond its role
in World War II; the SS McKeesport was an old merchant ship that was
pressed into service as that war progressed.
The SS McKeesport set sail in 1919 and served this nation and Allied
Forces in three ways – as a civilian cargo carrier, as a Red Cross ship,
and in its role with supply convoy that led to its demise.
“This ship – its glory and its grit, its productivity and its
perseverance – are reflective of the city whose name it bore,”
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said. “Just as the Merchant
Marine crews, who sailed the Atlantic on the SS McKeesport, took
pride in their ship’s name, we take pride in our city. What an honor it
must have been for McKeesporters of the early- to mid-1900s to know
this ship was named for their hometown.”
This year, guests heard from Merchant Marine veteran Howard
Pfiefer, who served during World War II.
“Everything about it was interesting and fascinating,” Pfiefer
recalled, of his journey to transport an old World War I craft for use as a
dock at Omaha Beach.
Other speakers included state Senator James R. Brewster, Austin
Davis of the Allegheny County Executive’s office, former county
commission Larry Dunn, and Boniface Igba of Auberle. McKeesport
Area High School students performed patriotic songs.
Colors were posted by MP Company BRAVO Marine Corps of North
Versailles, and the rifle squad included members of American Legion
Post 447 of Port Vue and the Liberty Borough Veterans Honor Guard.
SS McKeesport committee members are Tom Maglicco, Mary Ann
Goldie, Dr. Rudy A. Antoncic, Laura W. Jenkins, Jim Fedasz, Bobbie
Billsborrow and Sue Striffler Galaski.
McKeesport Area | Summer 2016 | icmags.com 45