Francis P. Kassab

Francis P. Kassab, 86 of Linnwood, Philipsburg, PA passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at his home.He was born on June 14, 1923 in Houtzdale, the son of George and Mary (Rackovan) Kassab.Mr. Kassab was retired, having been owner and operator of Kassab's Barber Shop at the Dimeling Hotel in Clearfield and later relocating to Woodland. He was a barber for over 50 years. He was a member of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church of Clearfield.Mr. Kassab was a United States Army Veteran having served in an Army airborne unit in World War II. When the Americans and the Japanese came together to sign the peace treaty to end the war, Mr. Kassab had the honor of cutting the hair of Admiral Nimitz and Army Generals Whitehead and Kenney prior to the ceremony.He is survived by his wife, Mary T. (Libreatori) Kassab, whom he married on July 26, 1943 at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church. Also surviving are three children; Rodney L. Kassab and his wife Glenda of Allentown, Coleen R. Kipp and her husband Robert II of Alpharetta, GA and Colin A. Kassab and his wife Donna of Allentown, four grandchildren; Kristen McKee and her husband Michael of Allentown, Todd Kassab of Seattle WA, Justin Kassab and his wife Andrea of Woodland and Shane Kassab of Allentown, one sister, Josephine Libreatori of Woodland and three brothers; John Kassab and his wife Nita of Mobile, AL, James Kassab and his wife Edith of Gulf Shores, AL and Lou Kassab and his wife Dolores of Morrisdale.Mr. Kassab was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers; William, Raymond, Edward and Lawrence "Lee" Kassab, and an infant brother, Joseph Kassab.A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church of Clearfield on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. with Msgr. Henry Krebs as celebrant. Interment will be in the Bradford Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the Clearfield American Legion John Lewis Shade Post No. 6 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars F. Michael Sicks Post No. 1785 Honor Guard.Friends will be received at the Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc. of Clearfield on Sunday, February 7, 2010 from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. A Vigil Service will be held at the funeral home at 1:45 P.M.To send an on-line tribute, go to wwwbennettandhouser.com