Cleo F. Pineau, Former Radiant Steel Head, Dies

Cleo F. Pineau, Former Radiant Steel Head, Dies

    Cleo F. Pineau, retired president of Radiant Steel Products Co., died at 6:47 a.m. Monday, May 29, 1972, in Divine Providence Hospital, where he had been admitted Friday as a medical patient.
   A prominent industrialist here, Mr. Pineau had been Radiant Steel's first sales manager when the company was formed in 1928 from a division of Darling Valve and Manufacturing Co. He continued in a variety of capacities until becoming president in 1948, an office he retained until his retirement in January, 1969. He continued as a director of the company until his death.
   Mr. Pineau was one of the members of the former Committee of 100, who founded the West Branch Manufacturers Assn. He served as treasurer of the WBMA for more than 20 years and was an honorary life director of the association.
   Before this country entered World War I, Mr. Pineau, though under age, enlisted in the British Royal Air Force. He was a member of Hangar No. 1, the top honor of the War Birds of the RAF. Shot down two months before the end of the war, he spent that time in a prison camp which was under the command of Kaiser Wilhelm's son.
   Mr. Pineau held the British Distinguished Flying Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, and, among other honors, was decorated by the Belgian government.

An Airport Founder
   He was one of the founders of the Williamsport-Lycoming County Airport. His acquaintanceship among top early aviation people enabled federal approval of the airport, and also paved the way for attendance at the airport dedication of many noted early flyers.
   One of these was Wiley Post, killed shortly afterward with Will Rogers in their attempted flight over the North Pole.
   Mr. Pineau was noted as a professional motorcyclist as well as a pilot. During the 1920s, he held most of the world records for motorcycle competition in motordromes.
   He was an organizer and the first commodore of the West Branch Motorboat Assn.
   Mr. Pineau was a life member of the Williamsport Wheel Club, a member of Garrett Cochran Post 1, American Legion, and a member of the Williamsport Country Club.

City Native
   Born in Williamsport, he was the son of Thomas L. and Adele Gstalder Pineau.
   He was a member of the Church of Annunciation.
   Surviving are his wife, Margaret C., one daughter, Mrs. Richard L. Fenstamaker Jr., city, a brother, Ernest, in California, a sister, Mrs. Camille A. Foster, Hollywood, Calif., and four grand children.

   The funeral will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday in the church. Burial will be in Mt. Carmel of Wildwood.
   There will be no visitation. A family vigil service will be at 8 tonight at Redmond's, 331 Elmira Street. The family will provide the flowers.

Williamsport Sun-Gazette (Williamsport, Pennsylvania) - Tuesday, May 30, 1972