Theodore “Teddy” Sarniak III, the CEO and founder of Jeannette Specialty Glass and a mentor to former Jeannette High School quarterback Terrelle Pryor, died Friday, July 20, 2012.
Sarniak, 68, died in Excela Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg.
He was remembered as a smart business owner dedicated to the community, one who was willing to help others while staying out of the limelight, Sarniak held many glass design patents and as well as innovative process patents, according to his family.
“We've lost a positive businessman in this community. He and his wife (Kathleen) were working their niche on the specialty glass business,” said Jeannette Mayor Robert Carter.
Businessman Frank Trigona said the death of Sarniak, who owned the last glass plant in a town once considered the Glass City, would be a big loss to the community.
“Teddy was a heady businessman. He was involved in a lot of things. He was the kind of man who took charge of a situation, when others were standing around doing nothing,” Trigona said.
“I saw him do that reluctantly many times. He did not seek the limelight,” Trigona said.
Restaurant owner Tony DeNunzio described Sarniak as “a very astute and prudent businessman.”
“His loss is going to create a big hole in the community,” DeNunzio said.
Sarniak was cleared in a 2008 NCAA investigation of improperly acting as a booster to Pryor, who became the star quarterback for Ohio State and later signed with the Oakland Raiders. Pryor could not be reached for comment Sunday.
The NCAA said in September 2008 that Sarniak could not provide money, meals, tickets, presents or a cell phone to Pryor, but could continue his relationship with Pryor's family.
A 2011 investigation found that Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel had forwarded emails in April 2010 to Sarniak about Pryor accepting benefits from a Columbus, Ohio, tattoo parlor but failed to notify his superiors.
Tressel told investigators that Sarniak appeared to be “the only one that would tell (Pryor) the right things for the right reasons.”
As a result of the investigation, Tressel resigned in May 2011, and Pryor left Ohio State that same year.
Both Trigona and DeNunzio said defended Sarniak, saying he was willing to help Pryor without looking for something in return.
“He took Terrelle Pryor under his wing. The kid did not have anything. Teddy got a lot of aggravation for doing the right thing,” Trigona said.
“He tried to teach Terrelle the right things, on and off the field. He was not taking advantage of Terrelle,” DeNunzio said.
In addition to his wife, Kathleen Rylander Sarniak, he is survived by his son, Theodore Sarniak IV of Greensburg; one grandson, Theodore Sarniak V; and a sister, Diane Buffone of Arnold.
Friends will be received from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Clement L. Pantalone Funeral Home Inc., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Ascension Church, 615 Division St., Jeannette. Interment will be in St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield.
