Thurman Brendlinger

Age 89, of Monroeville, on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Beloved husband of Marie (Damask) Brendlinger and the late Helen. Father of Barbara (the late Harold) Beisel, Nancy (Rick) Power, and Thurman Jr.(Lisa) Brendlinger; grandfather of David (Jill) Beisel, Ann (David) York, Liz Power (David) Havasi, Ryan Power, Ross, Kurt and Jane Brendlinger; great grandfather of Henry David Beisel;brother of Ann (Les) Edwards and the late Jean (the late Lynn) Crouse. Thurm also leaves a loving ‘second family’: Rosemarie (Cliff) Meagh, Hank (Judi) Damask, David Damask and Dianne (Sean) Learish and their children, Douglas and Dennis Meagh, Henry and Camryn Damask and Jenna and Ella Learish. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Mr. Brendlinger had many accomplishments and was a true gentleman. He was an Eagle Scout, Pitcairn Troop 50, a U.S. Army Air Force Veteran, where he served as a cryptographer during WW II, serving in the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon. He was awarded 4 Bronze Stars and 2 Philippine Island Bronze Stars. He was a 1946 graduate from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Business. He was a past commander of the Pitcairn American Legion, Post 256; an Elder and Past President on the Board of Trustees at the McGinnis Presbyterian Church in Pitcairn; Past President of the Pitcairn Savings and Loan; Chairman of the Board for Sentinel Savings and Loan; Past Director of Vanguard Savings Bank; Past President of Hillside Dodge, Homestead; Past President of Monroeville Dodge; Past Director of the Dodge National Dealer Council; Past President of the Pittsburgh Zone Dodge Dealer Assn.; Past President of Pittsburgh Zone Dodge Dealer Advertising Assn.; Past President of the Pittsburgh Auto Trade Assn.; Past Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pittsburgh Auto Dealers Assn. Mr. Brendlinger restarted the Pittsburgh Auto Show, where he produced and directed it for 17 years. It became one of the largest public shows in the Pittsburgh area. He also started the PATA Federal Credit Union, where he continued on as a Director. He was a Past Director and Honorary Member of the Automotive Dealers Assn. Executives; and honorary member of the American Society of Assn. Executives; a past member of the Automotive Hall of Fame; Past Director of the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania; and a past member of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce. Thurm was a co-founder of the Cedars of Monroeville, where he served on the Board of Directors and had served as Treasurer. Mr. Brendlinger chaired the Pitcairn High School Class of 1940 reunion committee since the inception of the reunions. He is the Past President of the Glenwood Condominium Assn.; a past member of the Churchill Valley Country Club; a member of the Masonic Lodge, Pittsburgh Consistory, Syria Temple. He was honored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, House of Representatives, with a citation for distinguished and dedicated service in the Automotive Industry. He was a member of Cross Roads Presbyterian Church. Friends received at the GENE H. CORL INC. FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATION CENTER OF MONROEVILLE, 4335 Northern Pike (1 block East of Mosside Blvd.-Rte. 48).Visitation Tuesday, 1-4 & 6-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church, 2310 Haymaker Road, Monroeville on Wednesday at 10 a.m. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Interment following at Penn Lincoln Memorial Park. The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Cedars of Monroeville, 4363 Northern Pike, Monroeville, PA. 15146, or to CHANGE, INC., Attn: Valorie Haddad, 115 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157 (a non-profit organization that helps individuals with developmental disabilities).