John A. Cenerazzo

John A. Cenerazzo, 81 of Lower Alsace Township died March 23 in St. Joseph's Hospital, Community Campus.

He was the husband of Vincenza J. (Ferraro) Cenerazzo.

Born in South Williamsport, PA he was the son of the late Alfonso and Adele (Galietta) Cenerazzo.

He was a graduate of South Williamsport High School, where he was Valedictorian. He attended Penn State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 1957 , he was one of the recipients of the McGraw-Hill chemical engineering award. This was based on his work in the extraction of tantalum chemicals from the ore and the design and construction of a chemical plant to extract the element from its ores. This was the first plant of this type in the United States.

He was awarded several patents, all pertaining to the chemical processing industry.

Cenerazzo was a lifetime member of the American Chemical Society as a senior grade member.

He was a former board member of the BCIDA, Berks County industrial Development Association.

Cenerzzo had government clearance in 1954 Q Clearance by the Atomic Energy Commission and in 1968 Top Clearance by the Department of Defense.

He was a member of the Board of Directors for the following companies: Trefimeteux-Berylco, S.A., Paris France, Deutsche Berylium, Gmbh, Oberursel, Germany, Showa-KBI Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, N.V. Kawecki-Billiton Metaalindustrie, Arnhem, Netherlands, CBL Ceramic, Ltd., Milford Haven, Wales, United Kingdom, Cerametals, Inc., NY, NY, LeferGen, Ltd., Bermuda, Salad Alley, Inc. Philadelphia, PA, Tantalum Mining, Ltd. Manitoba, Canada, BioReactions, Ltd, Huddersfield, United Kingdom Manheim, West Germany Penn Securities, Inc. Wyomissing, PA and U.S. Axle, Inc., Pottstown, PA.

He was a trustee of Abel Associates Trust, NY, NY and of Alvernia College, Reading, PA.

Cenerazzo was Director and Chairman of Executive Committee for national Penn Bank, Boyertown, PA, and Director, Chairman of Executive Committee and Chairman of Compensation Committee for Naional Penn Bankshares, Boyertown, PA.

He was General Partner of VF Hydrocarbon Associates, Valley Forge, PA

Cenerazzo was President and Director of ABELES Associates, Inc., NY, NY. He was a Commission Member of Central Berks Regional Police, Lower Alsace Twp.

He was also Supervisor of Lower Alsace Township.

He served as President, Chairman and Director at Igene Biotechnology, Inc., Coumbia, MD. He was Executive Vice President and Director of Kawecki Berylco Industries, Reading, PA. Cenerazzo was last employed by the Cabot Co., Reading retiring as Executive Vice President in 1986.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Reading.

Cenerazzo is also survived by two sons, Gregory J., Seattle, WA and John A., Reading. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 12:30 PM in Holy Rosary Church. Inurnment will be in Gethsemane Mausoleum. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements.