Leo F. Hrinya

Leo F. Hrinya, age 98, died on May 11, 2026.  Born on April 16, 1928, in Brockway, Pennsylvania, he was the son of John Hrinya, Sr. and Mary (Costion) Hrinya. He was the youngest of nine children and the last surviving member of his immediate family. Leo had an exceptionally good childhood exploring the fields and woods north of town and swimming in Toby Creek. He learned the streets of town on his bicycle.

Leo graduated from Brockway Snyder High School in 1946 and was the class vice president. In 1944, he and many of his classmates plus two male teachers worked the midnight shift at Brockway Glass Company to keep the plant operational in support of the war effort.

In 1948, Leo moved to Oil City and started working for Knox Glass Company beginning as an apprentice moldmaker. He worked on the machine floor, then as a production scheduler and ultimately as a programmer of CNC machines. He retired in 1988 with 44 years of combined service.

Leo met the love of his life, Eleanor (Salizzoni), as a teenager. They were married at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Bridgeville, Pennsylvania on April 29, 1950. They have spent the entirety of their married life in the Oil City area and have lived at the home they built in Seneca since 1957.

Leo was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1952. He completed 16 weeks of basic training in northern Kentucky and was then assigned to an infantry company in Augsburg, Germany for 18 months. He served as the company clerk. He was discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey in April 1954 with the rank of Corporal.

Leo has been an active community member. Leo was a boy scout leader and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, including serving as treasurer of the organization. He was a devoted member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, where Leo served as an usher and counted money on Sundays. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Leo, along with his wife Eleanor, loved to play cards and belonged to several card clubs for decades. Leo also enjoyed crosswords, Sudoku, and reading. He enjoyed the outdoors and an annual canoe trip down the Allegheny Rivers with his work colleagues.

During his retirement years, Leo and Eleanor, enjoyed traveling including two trips to Italy, a visit to London, and a trip with daughter Nancy and husband Rick to Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. They also traveled across the country by car, visiting many states, national sites, and entertainment venues. They also enjoyed many trips to Chautauqua.

Leo loved being with his family and attended the high school graduation of all his grandchildren. Leo and Eleanor hosted many family gatherings on holidays, on the 4th of July, and for family reunions. They took their children and young grandchildren to Disney World for a fun filled vacation. For several years, Leo also took his grandson, Johnny Gardner, to the International Juggling Convention where he made lots of friends and good memories. For over 20 years, Leo and Eleanor took their children and grandchildren to the Outer Banks for a week of family fun, food, dancing, and time at the beach.

Leo and Eleanor were known for their kindness and generosity, often assisting others when they needed help and friendship. Leo had a great sense of humor and was an excellent storyteller. He often served as Master of Ceremony for retirement dinners and other events.

Leo is survived by his loving wife Eleanor, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Children:  Nancy Hrinya Tannery (deceased) and husband Rick of Pittsburgh; Jan Gardner (John) of Frederick, Maryland; Stephen Hrinya (Elizabeth) of San Jose, California; and Mark Hrinya (Joyce) of Kansas City, Missouri. Grandchildren: Emily and Sarah Tannery; John Gardner (wife Kelly); Rachel Gardner Bosco (husband Andy); Mallory Gardner; Jane Hrinya; and Ryan and Alex Hrinya. Great grandchildren: Johnny and Kyle Gardner; and Henry and Leo Bosco. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Helen, Mary, and Olga; and, brothers Emil, Edward, John, George, and Tom; his daughter Nancy Hrinya Tannery, and an infant daughter.

The family will greet friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15th at Hile-Best Funeral Home, 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 35 Pearl Ave. in Oil City. Private interment with military honors will be at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville.

Cards are welcome and appreciated.  To express online condolences to Leo's family, visit www.hilebest.com

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