Leonard “Len” W. Krichko passed away on February 9, 2009 after hip surgery and a short illness in Jacksonville Beach, Fl.  He was born February 26, 1926 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to Sophie and George Krichko.

Len Krichko loved his community almost as much as he loved area sports. As a former President of the Mercer County Hall of Fame Athletic Association, Len was an instrumental force in preserving the heritage of Mercer County sports. Len was also Race Director of the Bavarian Half Marathon; President of the Ivor J. Lee Business Golf League; and founder of both the Hermitage Industrial Golf Scramble and the July 4th Freedom Run in Buhl Park.

He also scored two aces in his amateur golf career one of which was witnessed by the sports writers of both the Sharon Herald and Youngstown Vindicator newspapers.  Mr. Krichko was inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame Athletic Association in 1992 and then recently was named Director Emeritus of the Board. He will be greatly missed.