Alan P. Romatowski, 62, of Butler, Middlesex Township, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2014, at Arden Court Manor in Ross Township, from the effects of younger-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Born in East Brunswick, N.J. on Sept. 5, 1951, he was the son of Edward Romatowski of Luray, Va., and the late Bernice Tucker Romatowski.

Alan was a pilot for Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) and US Airways.

He earned his private pilot's license at the age of 16. His mother had to drive him to the airport as he didn't yet have a driver's license. He began his flying career with Henson Aviation in Hagerstown, Md., flew corporate for Perdue Farms and, in 1978, was hired at PSA as a flight engineer. He flew as captain at PSA and USAir. In his spare time, he towed gliders at the Grove City Airport.

On his 56th birthday, Alan was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's and decided to become an advocate for Alzheimer's research. He was chosen to serve on the National Alzheimer's Association Early-Stage Advisory Board, and was board member of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. He met with congressmen in Washington, D.C., spoke before the PA Committee on Aging in Harrisburg and advocated locally and nationally for Alzheimer's awareness and research.

Alan led a full life. Besides his love of flying, he enjoyed scuba diving and motorcycling, and he completed his 99th parachuting jump. He was a joke-telling master.

He is loved and missed by his wife, Josephine “Josie” Adragna Romatowski, who he married on July 24, 1988; his two sons, Marek E. Romatowski of Blossburg and Yuri Romatowski of Butler; his stepdaughter, Katherine Jarmin of Butler; and his sister, Joyce Woodward and brother, Michael Romatowski, both of Virginia.

Romatowski— A celebration of life for Alan P. Romatowski, who passed away Sunday, April 6, 2014, will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2014, at the Runway Restaurant, 473 Airport Road, Butler.Memorial contributions may be made to either the Alzheimer's Association, Pittsburgh Chapter, 1100 Liberty Ave. Suite E201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or to the Alzheimer's disease Research Center, UPMC Montefiore Four West, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582.Arrangements are under the direction of the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars, and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.