Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
FLORENCE A. SCAVUZZO
Florence A. Scavuzzo, 93, of Greensburg, formerly of Jeannette and Venice, Fla., died Thursday, May 25, 2000, in the Newhaven Court at Linwood, Greensburg. She was born Jan. 31, 1907, in Greensburg, a daughter of the late Antonio and Gaetana D'Orio Cipullo. Prior to her retirement, she was the owner/operator of the former Baby Store, also known as the Florence Youth Center of Jeannette, and was a teacher in the Jeannette School District. She was a member of the Ascension Church of Jeannette and the church's Rosary Altar Society and Senior Citizens Group. Mrs. Scavuzzo was a charter member of Jeannette District Memorial Hospital Women's Auxiliary and a member of the Cercemaggiore Association of Pa. While living in Florida in the early 1970s, she brought together a group of friends to celebrate the first "Jeannette Day." She was very proud that this tradition is still celebrated annually with former Jeannette residents gathering from all over Florida to honor a town she dearly loved. Mrs. Scavuzzo was also an advocate of education for women since she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in the class of 1929. Because of this, she and her husband established the Theresa Bruno Scavuzzo Memorial Award in honor of her mother -in-law. This annual award is presented to the highest ranking female graduate at Jeannette Senior High School. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Salvatore B. Scavuzzo in 1993. She is survived by two daughters , Mercedes Getto and husband, Robert, of Jeannette and Adrienne Walsh and husband, James, of Harrison City; a sister, Mary Petrarca of Derry; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette, beginning Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in the Ascension Church. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Hempfield Township. The Ascension Rosary Altar Society and Senior Citizens Group will pray the rosary Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
HELEN W. VAN BALEN
Helen W. Van Balen, of Churchill, on Wednesday, May 24, 2000. Wife of the late Vince. mother of Marie Carozza and her husband, Robert, of Plum, Beatrice Whetsel and her husband, Richard, of Plum, V. Thomas and his wife, Nancy, of Monroeville and Barbara Dunmire and her husband, Melvin, of Plum. Grandmother of Jim, Ken, Susan, Nicole and Grant. Sister of the late James A. Watchorn and Alice Schaffer. Friends received from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME INC., 7441 Washington St., Swissvale. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Anselm Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Word of God Grade School Tuition Fund.
THERESA L. THORNTON WATSON
Theresa L. Thornton Watson, 98, of North Huntingdon, died Friday, May 26, 2000. She was born Feb. 9, 1902, in Pittsburgh, a daughter of the late George E. and Rebecca ( White house) Thornton. She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Larimer, and participated in the adult Bible class and the women's fellowship. She was a former secretary of the Consistory, a deacon of the church, and was a Sunday school teacher for 50 years. She was also a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for 10 years, a Red Cross volunteer during World War II, and a charter member of the AARP #4373. She was a graduate of the Norwin High School Class of 1920. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles B. Watson, on Oct. 2, 1970; three sisters , Carolyn Cooper, Lucy Tharp and Rose Thornton; and four brothers , Samuel, George Jr., Charles T. and James Thornton. Survivors include two sons , Dale T. Watson and wife, Rose, of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Wayne A. Watson and wife, Janet, of North Huntingdon; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Friends will be received Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the VINCENT V. RODGERS FUNERAL HOME, 805 Pennsylvania Ave., Irwin. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 1 p.m. in St. John's United Church of Christ, 1230 Brownstown Road, Larimer, with the Rev. Claudia I. Papenmeier officiating. Interment Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park.
JOSEPH GUS CRIVELLA
Joseph Gus Crivella, 90, of Mt. Pleasant RD6, went to sleep peacefully into the arms of the Lord, Friday, May 26, 2000, in Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. Born June 12, 1909, in Mt. Pleasant, he was a son of the late William Angelo and Concetta Nesta Crivella. Prior to his retirement, he was an inspector for PennDOT. He was a member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church of Mt. Pleasant. Gus was also a member of the following clubs: The Assunta Club, L.O.O.M., the former sons of Italy of Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant Senior Center. He had also served for many years as a crossing guard for Mt. Pleasant Borough. He is survived by his loving family: daughters , Rebecca Koshar and Daniel Walko of Greensburg RD2, Jo Ann Helms and her husband, David, of Scottdale, and Susan L. DeWitt and her husband, Mark, of Mt. Pleasant RD6, with whom Gus resided; five grandchildren, Christopher Helms, Chad Koshar and his wife, Chelie, Tina Helms, Jillian Koshar and Nathan DeWitt; a great-grandchild, Emily Helms; and his loving sisters , Mammie Yancosky and Helen Krzemien and her husband, John, both of Mt. Pleasant. In addition to his parents, Gus was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Jacinda Bell Whigham; five brothers , Anthony, John, Carmen, Frank and William Crivella; and two sisters , Rose Vanella and Margaret Ceroni. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at GALONE-CARUSO'S, 204 Eagle St., Mt. Pleasant. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Michael W. Matusak as celebrant. Interment in St. Pius X Parish Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.
JOSEPH H. FIELDS
Joseph H. Fields, 78, of Morton Street, New Eagle, died Saturday, May 27, 2000, in the Monongahela Valley Hospital. He was born Feb. 6, 1922, in Houston Run, Union Township, a son of the late James and Martha Bickerton Fields. Mr. Fields was a lifelong resident of the New Eagle area, and was Protestant by faith. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific theater. He retired in 1983 from U.S. Steel-Marine Way, with 40 years of service. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters , Susan Peters and Eliza Nagy; and three brothers , James Fields, Charles Fields and George Fields. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Leola Douglas Fields; a sister, Margaret Eckels of Vero Beach, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the L.M. FRYE FUNERAL HOME INC., 427 W. Main St., Monongahela, where a blessing service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Richard Hartman officiating. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Park.
STEPHEN J. FORISH
Stephen J. Forish, 86, of Pittsford, N.Y., died Saturday, May 27, 2000, at Genesee Hospital, Rochester, N.Y. He was born Oct. 8, 1913, in Marguerite, a son of the late Andrew J. and Anna (Koslosky) Forish. He worked as a supervisor for A&P Grocery in Rochester, N.Y., retiring after 37 years. He was a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church, Pittsford, N.Y. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Marguerite, as well as the Guardian Angel Holy Name Society. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ann A. (Gumbita) Forish; a daughter, Beverly Jean Forish; two brothers , Joseph and Andrew Forish; and two sisters , Ann Johnson and Cecilia P. Forish. He is survived by a daughter, Lorraine A. Forish of Pittsford, N.Y.; a son, Dennis S. Forish and wife, Carol, of Lexington, Ky.; four grandchildren, Dennis II and wife, Amy, of Fredericksburg, Va., Douglas and wife, Shannon, David and wife, Marchele, and Darren Forish and fiancee, Shanda, all of Lexington, Ky.; five great-grandchildren, Krista, Douglas, Kaytelyn, Dennis III and Kodi; a sister, Mary Mott and husband, George, of Humphreys; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the GAUT-BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., Pleasant Unity, Monday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the St. Benedict Catholic Church, Marguerite, Tuesday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Stephen R. Honeygosky, O.S.B., as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, Unity Township.
MARTHA B. CHICARDY GABELLA
Martha B. Chicardy Gabella, of Herminie, died Thursday, May 25, 2000. Born in Coral, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Julian G. and Mary Gallo Chicardy. Mrs. Gabella was proprietor of Martha's Candy Supply Shop in Indiana, Pa., and a retired cashier of A&P Tea Co. for 37 years. Martha was a member of St. Edward Church, Herminie, where she was a member of the Altar Rosary Society and the Sunshine Club. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 8427, Herminie, the UMWA, Associate Sister of Charity at Seton Hill, the M.I.V.A., the Women's Catholic Business Association of Greensburg, and a Red Cross volunteer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo; a sister, Margaret Palino; and two brothers , Julian J. and Edward Chicardy. Surviving are two sisters , Frances Dillion of Pittsburgh and Mary Rebovich of Homer City; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. in St. Edward's Church, Madison Road, Herminie, until the time of Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Father Lawrence L. Manchas as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Bernard's Cemetery, Indiana, Pa. Parish rosary will be recited at 9:45 a.m. Arrangements by EDWIN N. WOLFE FUNERAL HOME INC., Export.
JOSEPHINE GIAQUINTO
Josephine "Pippy" Giaquinto, 83, of Jeannette, died Saturday, May 27, 2000, in UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland. She was born Feb. 9, 1917, in Latrobe, a daughter of the late Anthony and Julia Lattanzio. She was a member of the Ascension Church of Jeannette and its Rosary Altar Society, and the Seneca Club, also of Jeannette. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two sisters , Mary Dettorre and Louise Egnot; and two brothers , Samuel and Albert Lattanzio. She is survived by her husband, Peter A. Giaquinto; a daughter, Carol Pacek and husband, Regis, of Mansfield, Ohio; a son, Daniel Giaquinto of New Hampshire; two sisters , Ann Adams and husband, Earl, of Latrobe, and Laura Roberts of Miami, Fla.; a brother, Fred Lattanzio and wife, Fanny, of Latrobe; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the JOHN V. GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 228 N. Second St., Jeannette, beginning Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the Ascension Church. Entombment will follow in the Westmoreland County Memorial Park Mausoleum, Hempfield Township. The Rosary Altar Society will pray the rosary Monday at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 95 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.
JOHN P. KOSH
John P. Kosh, 76, of Donora, died Saturday, May 27, 2000, in the Meadowcrest Nursing Home in Bethel Park. He was born Sept. 29, 1923, in Donora, a son of the late Spiridon and Mary Esocko Koshovai. He was a retired teacher and football coach from the Ringgold School District. He was a graduate of Donora High School and the University of Pittsburgh. He furthered his education at Carlow College and California University of Pennsylvania . He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Prior to teaching, he worked in the American Steel and Wire Co. and the Equitable Life Assurance Co. of Pittsburgh. He taught at Homestead High School, the Monessen School District, Donora High School and Ringgold High School. He lettered in football at Pitt in every position under coaches Shaunessey, Fesler and Walter Milligan. He was a freshman football coach at Pitt under Milligan. He played center in the Blue-Gray game. At Homestead he was an assistant football coach and head track coach in Monessen. He was an assistant football coach under Joe Gladys. In Donora he was first assistant football coach and later the head football coach at Ringgold. He was the first head football coach at Ringgold during the merger. He served on the Donora School Board and helped organize the first Donora Midget Football League. He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, where he served as an usher; the Knights of Columbus Council 1941, Donora; the American Legion Post 212, Donora; the Slovene National Benefit Society #729; the American Croatian Citizens Club, Donora; and the PSER of Pennsylvania . He and his wife, Mary Marin Kosh, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 4, 2000. Also survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Eric Carson of Donora; five grandchildren, Christopher and Amanda Carson of Donora, John K. Kosh, Helen A. Kosh and Michael J. Kosh of Allison Park; and a sister, Dorothea Renders of Rome, N.Y. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter in 1956; a son, Capt. John K. Kosh, who died in the Gander, Newfoundland air crash on Dec. 12, 1985; a brother, Michael Kosh; and two sisters , Julia Little and Helen Hoehn. Friends will be received in the PAUL MACIK FUNERAL HOME, 546 Thompson Ave., Donora, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 9 p.m. Monday. Blessing service Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Parish, St. Philip Church, Donora. Burial will follow in West Newton Cemetery.
CATHERINE A. KULIS
Catherine A. "Katy" Kulis, 74, of New Stanton RD1, died Saturday, May 27, 2000, in the Monsour Medical Center, Jeannette. She was born Sept. 27, 1925, in Duquesne, a daughter of the late David and Catherine Allison Gilmore. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Kulis; and a brother, Samuel Gilmore. Surviving are a son, David W. Kulis and wife, Karen; and a daughter, Candace Barclay and husband, Peter, both of New Stanton RD1; a grandson, David M. Kulis; and a brother, Thomas Gilmore and wife, Marian, of Philadelphia. There will be private family viewing and services. Arrangements by the BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME, Madison.
APRIL M. KUTSKA
April M. Kutska, 19, of Belle Vernon, formerly of Monessen, passed away Friday, May 26, 2000. Born May 24, 1981, April was the daughter of George E. "GiGi" and Sue Ann Kolar Kutska of Belle Vernon. A member of the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, Belle Vernon, April had graduated from Belle Vernon High School, Class of 1999, with honors. She had currently been a student at Westmoreland County Community College. April was preceded in death by her grandfather, Karl L. Kolar. Survivors include, in addition to her parents, her grandmother, Mrs. Charles (Joann I.) Moore of Alverton; stepgrandmother, Sally J. Kolar of Scottdale; paternal grandparents, John and Lorraine Kutska of Monessen; aunts and uncles, Carol and her husband, Al Waterhouse, of Coal Center, Judy and Bob Glaspey of Charleroi, Joni and Art Trayter of Ruffsdale, Vicki and Mark Altomairi of Monessen, Joan Kolar of Interlachen, Fla., and Elsa and David Howard of Interlachen, Fla.; and numerous cousins. Visitation will be held in the RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC., A Golden Rule Funeral Home, 1209 Grand Blvd., Monessen, Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Parastas service will be held in the funeral home Monday at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home Tuesday at 10 a.m. with Father Kluchko officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery.
MICHAEL A. LAWRENCE
Michael A. Lawrence, 85, of Youngwood, formerly of Norvelt, died Friday, May 26, 2000, in Mt. Pleasant. He was born Sept. 26, 1914, in Mutual, a son of the late Michael S. and Mary Mizenko Lawrence. He retired from ITE Circuit Breaker, South Greensburg. He was a member of Holy Cross Church, Youngwood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Hazuza Lawrence, and his second wife, Ruth Hranko Lawrence; a son, Gerald S. Lawrence; a brother, John Lawrence; and three sisters , Mary Kolick, Ann Bishop and Margaret Petrick. He is survived by his wife, Marie Tunko Lawrence; three sons , Bernard Lawrence of Fort Myers, Fla., Michael and wife, Carol Lawrence, of Macon, Ga., and John and wife, Debra Lawrence, of Greensburg; a daughter, Mrs. Thomas (Marilyn) Hartman of Norvelt; a sister, Dorothy Skolak of Greensburg; 10 stepchildren, Mrs. Donald (Betty) Barnhart of Hunker, Mrs. David (Paula) Casasant of Pittsburgh, Mrs. James (Dorothy) Steffen of Virginia, James Timko and wife, Jacki, of Greensburg, Mrs. Ronald (Beverly) Smith of Perryopolis, Jerry Timko and wife, Judy, of Omaha, Neb., George Timko of Omaha, Neb., Ellamae McCusker of Seattle, Wash., Cindy Timko of Perryopolis and Mrs. William (Vickie) Naggy of Acme; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. Friends will be received Sunday and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the C. RICHARD McCAULEY FUNERAL HOME INC., Youngwood. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Holy Cross Church, 701 Depot St., Youngwood, with Father John S. Szczesny as celebrant. Interment in Greensburg Catholic Cemetery.
