Barker
Mary Haskins Barker, 87, died on Sept. 10, 2003, at her home after a long illness.
Mrs. Barker was born in Lawrence, Kan., on March 6, 1916, and grew up in Kansas City.
After graduating from high school she attended Bradford Junior College. In 1938 she married Robinson Barker.
Prior to World War II, she and her husband lived in Miami, Fla. After the war, she and her family moved to Nashville, Tenn., and then to Sewickley where she lived for more than 50 years.
She was an active member of her church wherever she lived serving primarily on the Altar Guild.
She also gave of her time and energies to a number of local charitable organizations including Friendship House, Child Health, D.T. Watson Home and Sewickley Valley Hospital.
After his retirement, she and Mr. Barker traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States.
Mrs. Barker was an avid reader and took pleasure in playing bridge and golf. Most of all she enjoyed being with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 60 years and her younger sister, Suzanne.
She is survived by her two children: Christopher of Pittsburgh and Susan of Chicago. Also surviving are four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Sunday at St. Stephen's Episcopal with the Very Rev. George Werner, D.D., officiating.
Interment was private.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh, or to the CoCo Point Fund, c/o Breaktron, 35 Leeward Lane, Riverside, CN 06878.
Arrangements were handled by Copeland's Sewickley/Irvine Chapel.
DeWitt
Juanita DeWitt, 71, died Sept. 8, 2003.
She is survived by her husband, Eugene DeWitt of McClenny, Fla.; her son, Regis Cassidy of Albuquerque, N.M.; and her grandchildren: Trinity Cassidy of Rowe, N.M., and Regis Cassidy Jr., of Albuquerque, N.M.
Also surviving are her brothers Earl Leasure of Hudson, Fla., and John Leasure of Pittsburgh.
Memorials may be made to local Red Cross Chapters.
Arrangements were made by the Town and Country Funeral Home in Jacksonville, Fla.
Heasley
Patricia Heasley, 74, of Clearwater, Fla., for the past 10 years, formerly of Avalon, died at her residence on Sept. 9, 2003.
She was born in Emsworth on Sept. 27, 1928, to the late Mary Alice Stauffer and Eldon Moran.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Heasley Jr.
Mrs. Heasley was a longtime employee of Robert Wholey and Sons.
She is survived by her five children: Robert Heasley III and wife Patricia of Sewickley; William Heasley and wife Linda of Sewickley; Maxine Fox and husband Richard of Rockford, Mich.; Margaret Mindell and husband David of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and Betsey Sisko and husband Joseph of Hatfield, Pa.
Also surviving are her siblings: Shirley McGinnity and husband Robert of Avalon, and Eldon Moran and wife Peggy of Boston.
She also is survived by 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Burial was in Sewickley Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Copeland's Sewickley-Irvine Chapel.
Pitterich
Wernert Pitterich, 83, of Sewickley, formerly of the South Hills, died Sept. 9, 2003, at Mariner Health Care Center of West Hills in Moon Township.
He was born on April 18, 1920, in Pittsburgh, to the late John and Elizabeth Pitterich.
Mr. Pitterich was self-employed in the transportation trucking industry for 40 years.
He was a WWII U.S. Army Veteran.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta 'Mickey' Pitterich, and his son, Joseph Pitterich.
He was the loving father of Sue Ann Molloy and her husband Bartholomew of Massachusetts and Michael Pitterich of Sewickley.
He was the proud grandfather of Bartholomew, Elizabeth, Margaret and Sarah Molloy, all of Massachusetts.
Entombment was in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters Township.
Arrangements were handled by Copeland's Sewickley-Irvine Chapel.
Vaccaro
Lorenzo Vaccaro, 92, a lifelong resident of Sewickley, died Sept. 11, 2003, at St. Barnabas Home.
He was born in Monongahela, Pa., on April 14, 1911, to the late Giovanni and Rosa Vaccaro.
Mr. Vaccaro was a member of St. James Church.
He was a retired laborer from Pittsburgh Forgings Co., Coraopolis.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Antoinette Vaccaro, and his three sons: John Vaccaro of Sewickley, Albert Vaccaro of McCandless, and Lawrence Vaccaro of Ambridge.
Also surviving are his two sisters, Katherine Gamber of Gibsonia and Mary Zipparo of Sewickley, as well as seven grandsons: Kevin, Daniel, David, John Christopher, Damian, Ryan and Marc Vaccaro.
Burial was in St. James Cemetery.
Copeland's Sewickley-Irvine Chapel handled arrangements.
Cousineau
Susanna Fame (Webber) Work Cousineau, 64, of Sewickley, formerly of Texas, died Sept. 15, 2003, at Sewickley Valley Hospital.
She was born in Large, Pa., on Nov. 21, 1938, to the late Kenneth and Charlotte Webber.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two spouses: Frederick Work Sr. and Paul Cousineau Sr., and her brother, Charles Webber.
Mrs. Cousineau was formerly employed by Sewickley Fish and Poultry and the Port Authority in Pittsburgh as a cook.
She is survived by six children: Frederick Work Jr. of Sewickley, Cheryl Combs of West Aliquippa, Charles Work of Ambridge, Ronald Work of Baden, Terry Work of Ambridge and Kenneth Work of West Aliquippa.
Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Mark, Toni, Eddie, Candi, Justin, Ashley, Matthew, Niki, Heather, and Niki; and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral service and burial were private.
Memorials may be made in her name to Sewickley Public Library, Thorn and Broad, Sewickley, PA 15143.
Arrangements were handled by Copeland's Coraopolis.
Gibson
Holbrook Gibson died Sept. 1, 2003, after a long illness.
He was born in Philadelphia into a naval family and spent his childhood in many different places and countries.
He was a graduate of South Kent School and Lafayette College, where he was on the swimming and football teams.
Mr. Gibson had been a summer resident of Chatham since the mid-'50s and retired there in 1978.
In 1942, he and Margaret Leiper were married in her family's home in Sewickley.
They're the parents of a son, William, who lives in New Jersey; and a daughter, Margaret, living in New Hampshire.
Their four grandchildren are William and Alexander Gibson and Marley and Pennington Marchael.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. One of his early duties was as skipper of the first all black crew. He served in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, retiring as a lieutenant commander in 1945.
Having been an Eagle Scout as a boy and a scout attendant to President Hoover, he continued his interest in scouting and was North Shore Commissioner of Scouts while living in Chicago.
He was an enthusiastic sailor, trout fisherman, skeet shooter and gardener, and late in life he became a happy, if not expert, bridge player.
A memorial service was held at the First congregational Church of Chatham.
Donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, Chatham Conservation Foundation, or any other charity.
Ribar
Paul P. Ribar, 78, of Sewickley, died peacefully, Sept. 17, 2003, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
He was born in Aliquippa, on Nov. 24, 1924, to the late Paul and Susan Ribar.
After serving in the Air Force in World War II, Mr. Ribar went to Slippery Rock State Teacher's College and graduated with a teaching degree. He earned a master's degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
He taught at Sewickley Academy for more than 30 years, as well as Sewickley Valley Hospital School of Nursing for several summer sessions.
He was a very active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He also was a member of Sewickley Senior Men's Club and American Legion Post 4.
Throughout his life, he was involved in Boy Scouts of America and until recently, he umpired and was a referee at many local high school sports.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Polly, brother Joe of Aliquippa, and sister Pauline of Chicago.
He is survived by his children: David and wife Louise of South Carolina, and daughter Mary Beth and husband Ross of Florida.
Also surviving are his brother John and his wife Patricia of the Channel Islands, England.
The family will miss this happy, generous and loving man.
Burial was in Sewickley Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Copeland's Sewickley-Irvine Chapel.
Betty Galey
Betty Galey, 80, of Sewickley died Monday, May 10, 2004, at her residence.
She was born Oct. 3, 1923, in Pittsburgh to the late Edward Kent and Margaret Ellen Thorpe.
She also was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert Galey.
Mrs. Galey was a homemaker and a member of the Edgeworth Club, the Sewickley Heights Golf Club, the Women's Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania and the Child Health Association of Sewickley. She was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.
She is survived by her children: R. Kent Galey and his wife, Karen, of Fox Chapel and Karen Smith and her husband, Gary, of Sewickley; and a brother, Kent Thorpe and his wife, Rose, of Ingomar.
Also surviving are her grandchildren: Emily and Brian Smith of New York City; Margi Smith of Sewickley; Erin Galey, Heather Galey and R.K. Galey Jr. of Fox Chapel; Craig and Marlo Peck of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and Ellen and William Berglund of New Orleans.
She also is survived by her great-grandchildren, Charley and Jane Peck; and her step-grandchild, John Sapos, his wife, Judy, and their son, Nolan, of Cranberry.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Child Health Association of Sewickley, 1108 Ohio River Boulevard, Sewickley, PA 15143.
Copeland's Sewickley ' Irvine Chapel handled arrangements.
Habers
George Habers, 83, of Moon Township, formerly of Sewickley, died Sunday, May 2, 2004.
Mr. Habers owned Carrolls Music Shop in Sewickley for 45 years. He was a trumpet player in a seniors band and a member of the Tommy Dorsey Band. He was a member of St. James Catholic Church.
He is survived by his children: Christopher Habers of New York; William Habers and his wife, Rosemary, of Sewickley; Kathy Ann Habers of Moon Township; and Diane Rein and husband, Dan, of Maryland.
Also surviving are his grandchildren: Elizabeth Burke, Nicole Brands, Natassja Habers, William Habers, Ryan Rein and Alexandra Habers.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane Morrison; his brother, Michael Haburchak; and three sisters, Anne Haburchak, Mary Haburchak and Pauline Leathers.
Burial is in Sewickley Cemetery.
Shenk
George C. Shenk of Aliquippa, 82, formerly of New Brighton and Edgeworth, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004.
Born in Glen Ridge, N.J., on Nov. 4, 1921, Mr. Shenk was the son of Henry and Helen Shenk.
He graduated from Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, N.J., in 1939. He was called to service to his country in the draft following his junior year at Amherst College and entered the Army at Fort Dix, N.J., in July 1942.
On Friday, Nov. 13, of that year he and Elizabeth Shenk of New York City were married in Calvary Episcopal Church, New York.
After attending officer's training camp at Camp Lee, Va., he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in June of 1943, and served thereafter in the Quartermaster Corps at Camp Ellis, Ill., and in England, France and Germany from April 1944 until his discharge in January 1946.
Upon his return to the United States, he and his family (a son, Peter Michael was born in 1944) moved to Amherst, where he completed his senior year and received his diploma.
Following graduation, he moved to Hope, N.J., where he and his brother, Norman had inherited property. He went to work for the Easton Car and Construction Co. in Easton, Pa., manufacturers of rail cars used in mining and newspaper printing plants, as well as bodies for large trucks used also in mining.
After a short training period, he was assigned to the company's New York City sales office, where he remained until the summer of 1951 when U.S. Steel offered him a position in its market development department. While employed there, he was one of a small group who conceived the plans for several national industry-wide promotions to influence consumers to buy products made of steel.
One such promotion included design of the Steelmark, the logo still used by the Pittsburgh Steelers on their helmets. He also promoted soft drinks in cans, a novel idea at the time. Another promotion was 'Make It A White Christmas,' suggesting a new washer and refrigerator as a Christmas gift.
In 1967 he left U.S. Steel to embark on a career as a consultant in the field of corporate planning.
For a large part of that time he worked with the rector of St. Stephen's Church, the Rev. John Guest, in planning for the growth of the parish. This eventually included responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the building of a large new parish hall.
In 1978 he served for guest as an administrator for the National Episcopal Renewal Conference, which brought 1,600 Episcopalians from around the country, from Canada, England and South Africa to Pittsburgh.
Shenk was a member of St. Stephen's Church. He also was a member of the North American Society for Corporate Planning.
His interests included theater (he directed several plays for the 8:40 Group of The Edgeworth Club), hunting wild mushrooms, and Bridge, and he loved to join any group that might stand around a piano to sing.
He was preceded in death by his son, Peter.
Survivors include his wife; daughters, Alexandra Kristen-sen and Amanda Alberti of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; a son, Henry of Pittsburgh; a daughter-in-law; and Kevin Shenk of Truro, Mass.
Also surviving are his grandchildren: Geoffrey Shenk of Summerville, Mass.; Ehren Shenk of Wellfleet, Mass.; Noah Shenk and his wife, Sue, of New Orleans; Courtney Kristensen and Katherine Kristensen of Playa Del Ray, Calif.; Benjamin Kristensen of Orlando, Fla.; and Ariel Alberti of Pottstown, Pa.
He also is survived by his great-grandchildren: Zoe and Noah Shenk, and Quentin Kristensen. Also surviving is his brother, Norman Shenk of Wilton, Conn.
Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205; the National Kidney Foundation of Western PA Inc., 555 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219, or to Animal Rescue League, 6620 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
Arrangements were made by Copeland's Sewickley.
Becker
Samuel Becker, 74, of Sewickley, died May 17, 2004.
Born March 31, 1930, in Leetsdale, he was the son of the late Albert and Marie Becker.
Mr. Becker was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sewickley, the Sewickley Senior Men's Club and the Air National Guard.
He retired from the Bethlehem Steel Corp. as tower shop superintendent and certified welding inspector, and later retired from Industrial Steel Corp.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dolores Becker, and his children: Aimee Benedict and husband Thomas of Sewickley, and David Becker of Hagerstown, Md.
Also surviving are his grandchildren: Nathan and Nicholle Benedict and Samantha Becker. He also is survived by his siblings: Anna Kusnirak of Leetsdale and Albert Becker of Chicago.
Interment is in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park.
Donations may be made to the Stroke Foundation or to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 616 Washington St., Sewickley, PA 15143.
Cappella
Rose T. Scalercio Cappella, age 87, a life-long resident of Sewickley, passed away on May 20, 2004, at Sycamore Creek Nursing Center.
She was born in Sewickley on Nov. 30, 1916, to the late Michaeli and Giovanna (Scalercio) Gallucci.
She was preceded in death by her three children: Alfonso 'Shookie' Scalercio, Dorothy Jane Mazur and Jerry Joseph Scalercio; her son-in-law: Charles McCoy; her three sisters: Pauline Rains, Mary Sauro and Margaret Gallucci; her three brothers: Joseph, Ralph and Frank Gallucci.
She was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Sewickley.
She retired in 1982 from Sewickley Valley Hospital where she was employed as an L.P.N.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Mary McCoy of Leetsdale; two daughters-in-law, Paula & Dorothy Scalercio, both of Sewickley; one son-in-law, Joseph Mazur of California; and two sisters, Connie Lawrence of Avalon and Josephine Myers of Kentucky.
She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. James Church with the Rev. Al Semler officiating.
Burial was in St. James Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Copeland's Sewickley-Irvine Chapel.
Huey
Bonnie Huey Baguley, 59, of Altoona, formerly of Sewickley, died May 13, 2004, after a 10-year battle with cancer.
She was born Jan. 5, 1945, in Altoona, the daughter of Kenneth and Mildred Luke.
Her father preceded her in death. She was twice married, first to David Huey then to Clifford Baguley.
Mrs. Baguley was a member of Juniata Grace Brethren Church and a 1962 graduate of Altoona High School. She was a bus driver for the Quaker Valley School District.
She is survived by her children: Robert Huey of Altoona; Brenda Kairis, Karen Himes and husband Randy of Altoona; and Patricia Huey of North Carolina.
Also surviving are her grandchildren: Renee Huey of McDonald, Pa.; Taylor Kairis, Kristina Huey and Breeanna and Brandon Himes of Altoona; and Miranda and Tessa Lechner of North Carolina.
She also is survived by her mother; her brother, Kenneth Luke Jr. and wife Diane of Altoona; her friend, Jack Wilson; her niece, Dana Feathers and husband Dan of Carlisle; and her nephew, Michael Luke of Altoona.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Janet Bickel.
Interment is in Alto-Reste Park.
Mollica
James Mollica, Esq., 57, a resident of Sewickley Heights for 21 years, died May 18, 2004, at UPMC Shadyside Hospital.
He was born on March 24, 1947, in Pittsburgh to the late James Sr. and Phyllis Mollica.
Mr. Mollica was a member of St. James Roman Catholic Church and the American and Pennsylvania Bar Association.
He was the owner and operator of Mollica & Murray Law Firm.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila Mollica of Sewickley Heights, and his children: James Mollica III and wife Michelle of Falls Church, Va.; Andrew Mollica and Matthew Mollica of Sewickley Heights.
Also surviving are his siblings: Carlotta Goetz of San Diego, Calif.; Peggy Ann Mostowy of Kennedy Township; and Anthony Mollica of Kennedy Township.
Entombment is in Sewickley Cemetery.
Memorials can be made in his name to Alliance for Lung Cancer at www.alcase.org or by calling 1-800-298-2436.
Buckley
Roberta Crawford Buckley 'Robyn,' 60, died May 26, 2004.
A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, June 5, at The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley.
Family will greet visitors after the service in the Robinson Room.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and Forbes Hospice.
Born in Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Robert and Harriet Buckley.
She grew up in Hingham, Mass., until at age 13 she moved with her family to Narberth, Pa., on the Main Line outside Philadelphia.
She moved to the Pittsburgh area in 1977.
A tireless, ardent and assiduous volunteer, Ms. Buckley was an active member of the Junior League of Pittsburgh, where she was instrumental in bringing the 1983 U.S. Figure Skating Championship to Pittsburgh.
She was a member of the Sewickley Academy Home and School Association, Child Health Association of Sewickley, a former member of the board of directors and chair of the 1991 Sewickley House Tour.
For the last 10 years she worked in market research for BAA at Pittsburgh International Airport.
She will be remembered for her nurturing love, strength and sense of humor.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her children: Allan Johnson III of Los Angeles; Samuel Johnson of Jackson, Wyo.; and Elizabeth 'Lily' Johnson of Jackson, Wyo.
Also surviving is her sister, Susan Meyer, of North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Mina Ferrens.
Arrangements handled by Copeland's Sewickley-Irvine Chapel.
Sweger
Lillian Rose Sweger, 1, of South Heights, died May 23, 2004, in Sewickley Valley Hospital.
Born April 28, 2003, in Pittsburgh, she was the beloved daughter of Kevin and Jaime Sweger; sister of Kateri Sweger; granddaughter of Howard and Anna-Marie Grubbs of Crescent Township and Richard and Ann Sweger, West Aliquippa; and great-granddaughter of Florence Richards, Kissimmee, Fla.
She also is survived by many aunts and uncles.
She was an angel that touched her family members' lives for a year.
Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery.
Arrangements were handled by Copeland's Moon Township.
