Clair J. Urich Auditorium

 

 

So quickly was his passing the shock lingers yet today. The sudden death of Clair J Urich, Hastings supervising principal of Cambria Heights Schools, brings to an end an era of outstanding educational administration for the public school districts in this immediate area. A leader among men, and a counselor to youth, Mr. Urich, in his 32 years of school supervisory work, wasn’t just one of the best known, but also one of the most renowned of all the educators in Cambria County.

 

As a supervising principal he was looked upon for sound advice in all types of school matters, by those in his profession. His “know how” in such things was concrete. As a supervisor, he was a servant to the public. When called upon to do anything, large or small, for either an individual, or a group, Mr. Urich always acted as his genial personality would have it – quickly, completely and cordially. As a supervisor he guided youth. In this he was also “tops”. The title, “Mr. Urich” will, we know, always remain in the minds and hearts of the thousands of young people, who throughout the years were so fortunate as to have him as their guide. As a supervisor he was in charge of operating a school. In this he was in charge of a faculty, as well as a non-professional staff of personnel. His leadership was always just. As the “man in charge” he was deeply respected.

 

Life passes all too quickly. It did for Clair J. Urich. Besides his work as an educator, which began 38 years ago at Hastings High School, then Hastings-Elder, and in 1960, Cambria Heights, Mr. Urich was also a leader in many civic and church endeavors. For 20 years he served school youth of a large area of Central Pennsylvania in the capacity as secretary of District 6 of the PIAA. Likewise, for many years, he was the secretary of Hastings Borough Council. He also served in many other important positions – each for the good of his community, and its citizens.

 

A native of Patton, and a resident of Hastings for the past 34 years, Mr. Urich worked hard for his town. Despite the personal loss of his only two sons, who passed on before him, he continued on as a civic servant. Among the many things which he worked so diligently to help obtain, and which remain today as living memorials to good citizenship, are the Hastings Memorial Building and the Hastings Recreational Park and Swimming Pool. Clair J. Urich is gone. His passing has left a void in our way of life. However, may the memory of his hard work and the dedication, as servant to the public, continue forever as an inspiration to all of us.

 

 

From “Sport Spots” by Fred Owens
Local Newspaper Unknown

     
     

 

 

Cambria Heights Supervising Principal …

Clair J. Urich, Area Educator, Expires

 

First supervising principal of Cambria Heights Schools, civic and church leader, and one of Northern Cambria County’s best-known and most prominent citizens and educators, Clair J. Urich died unexpectedly about 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, in Pittsburgh. He was 61 years of age.

 

The Hastings man was pronounced dead at Montefiore Hospital. He had been in Pittsburgh with Donald Resko, Senior High School principal of the Cambria Heights Schools system, on a business trip. Mr. Urich had complained of not feeling well and had been taken to the Oakland hospital.

 

Friends are being received at Easly and Easly Funeral Home, Hastings, after 2:00 pm, today, Thursday, Solemn Requiem High Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., this Saturday in St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church, Hastings, with interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Patton.

 

A native of Patton and a resident of Hastings for the past 34 years, Mr. Urich was born Aug. 9, 1903 in Patton a son of the late John and Rose (Anna) Urich.

 

He had served as a supervising principal for the past 32 years, and had held this position with the Cambria Heights Schools jointure since its beginning in July of 1960. He had unofficially stated that he had plans for retiring following the current 1965-66 school year.

 

Mr. Urich, as he was known to the thousands of area students he directed throughout the years, began his 38-year career as an educator at Hastings Public Schools, as a mathematics and science teacher. He was named supervising principal there in 1933, and had served in the same capacity for the former Hastings-Elder Jt. School System until it became part of the Cambria Heights system five years ago.

 

Graduate of St. Francis College
He was graduated in 1928 from St. Francis College, Loretto, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Mr. Urich received his master of education degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1938. He also held a school superintendent’s certificate.

 

Very active as an area civic leader he had served for many years as the secretary of the Hastings Borough Council.

 

He also served for 20 years as secretary of District 6 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA); and as president of the Cambria County Supervising Principals Assn. He also was active in many other civic endeavors in this district throughout his lifetime.