Donna M. Sabol
Age 80, of Monroeville, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2022. Beloved mother of Suzanne (Darron) Markwood, Noelle (Lance) Cotton, and Dr. Matthew (Tawnya) Sabol; grandmother of Brendan and Trevor Markwood, and Courtney, Lindsay, Lance, Jr., and Alex Cotton; sister of Mary Ann (Richard) Wodzinski and Deborah (Joseph) Bulava; preceded in death by her husband Thomas A. Sabol. She was a longtime member of Holy Family Parish, St. John the Baptist Church and the Rosary Society. She was a very devoted mother and grandmother that was so deeply loved and will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 575 Lincoln Avenue #101, Bellevue, PA 15202.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Friday, October 7, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish St. Susanna Church, 200 Stotler Rd., Penn Hills at 10 a.m.
Donald J. Szejk
Don passed early on Monday, October 3, with his loving wife of 58 years, and the rest of his family, at his bedside.
A Polish Hill native, Don grew up in Penn Hills, with his older brother, Ted. His mother; Mary, owned the “Mar-Ted” corner diner in Wilkinsburg, and his father, Ted, ran a pest control business and sold Ford cars.
As a young man, Don enjoyed playing sports. Working as a “doubles” caddy at the Churchill Valley Country Club; he learned to play and appreciate golf, and at Penn Hills High School, where he graduated in 1961, he excelled in baseball, football and track events.
After high school, Don earned a degree in Technical Drawing from Point Park College in Pittsburgh, and began working as a Draftsman, where he worked on a wide variety of public and private projects. Early in his career, he did design drawings for the aviation industry, and later he helped with the design and construction of the “Runaway Truck” safety ramps on Pittsburgh highways—a project he was especially proud of.
During this time, he met and married his wife Mary, a registered nurse. They raised three sons, Donald Jr., Matthew and James, and stayed married, through thick and thin, for 58 amazing years.
After the demise of the steel industry, Don enjoyed a second career with his own company; Industrial Training Systems, where he wrote and published a book on forklift safety procedures, and served as an Expert Court Witness for industrial accident investigations.
When he wasn’t working, Don’s life was centered on his wife and family, and he enjoyed nothing more than filling up his charcoal grill with chicken wings and cooking for everybody during summer gatherings, and Steeler football Sundays.
He was active in the Penn Hills Baseball Association, where he coached various youth baseball teams with his sons, and was an enthusiastic booster of youth and high school hockey. After his coaching days ended, Don stayed involved in the sports he loved, serving as a home plate umpire for several different area baseball leagues.
In addition to sports, Don loved campfires and hiking with his family, enjoyed old sportscars and attending race day at the Vintage Grand Prix. He loved watching old Western Movies, and sports of all kinds.
A man of honest, open opinions, and dogged determination, Don was always quick to help out friends and family whenever needed, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed telling and hearing a good story.
He was a loving and devoted husband and father who valued his family and integrity above else, and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him well.
Don is survived by his wife, Mary, his sons, Donald Jr., Matthew and James. daughter-in-laws, Becky and Jodi, grand-daughters, Jocelyn and Isabel, and various nephews, nieces and cousins.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Sunday, October 9, 2022 from 3-5 p.m.
Danny Cocca
Age 95, born in Italy, of Penn Hills, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 22, 2022, surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Mary Cocca for 65 years; loving father of Anthony (Joan) Cocca and Anna Marie (Mark) Lamonna; dear grandfather of Natalie and Alyssa Lamonna and Vincent, Daniel, and Michael Cocca; survived by his sister Anna Coluccio and many loving nieces, nephews, and friends. A Memorial Mass will be held at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish St. Bernadette Church, 245 Azalea Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146 on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at 10 a.m. Arrangements by WILLIAM F. GROSS FUNERAL HOME, LTD.
Charles E. Thomas
Quietly and peacefully, at the age of 79, Chuck left his earthly home after a long struggle with cancer. He is survived by Fred Ruddock his partner of 42 years and his brother Richard Thomas (Cel) of Williamsburg, VA. He is preceded in death by his parents Waeta and Charles, and his sister Beverly Hauston. Chuck’s main career was as a partner in Alphabetical Order, Ltd. Floral Shop but worked in window display and retail. He attended Fort Wayne Bible College and Greenville College and enjoyed spending his summers there as a youth camp counselor. He loved his dogs Mindy and more recently, his pal Buddy. Other special interests include music, Karen Carpenter, theatre, museums, gardening, and his many friends he considered family. A close friend described him as a gentle soul. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Animal Friends Development Department, 562 Camp Horne Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15237
A memorial service will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233 on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.
Judith C. “Judy” (Kirsch) Roccasano
Surrounded by her loving family, passed away on September 5, 2022 peacefully into the arms of her Savior. Daughter of the late Leo and Marie Kirsch. Judy leaves behind her devoted husband Joe; treasured children Patrick (Amy) Coughlin, Michael (Lauren) Kaye, Vincent (Tracy) Coughlin, and Judiann (Stephen) Johns, and bonus children Rachelle (David) Kendrick and Renae (Marc) Sherwood; her beloved grandchildren Adam, Ashley, Haley, Cameron, Taylor, Paige, Logan, Brandon, Aidan, Stephen, Justin, Colton, Nathan, Craig, and Carlie; her loyal canine companion, Bowie. She was preceded in death by six siblings, whom she adored, and is survived by her sister Martha Goedert, as well as numerous cherished nieces and nephews. Judy devoted over 55 years of her life to teaching. She touched countless lives in her many years as a local daycare provider and most recently as a teacher at St. James in Wilkinsburg. She enjoyed spending time with her family, writing poetry, and helping people in any way she could. A very special thank you to the amazing nurses/staff of Bridges Hospice who took such loving care of Judith in her final days. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Judy’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Thursday, September 8, 2022 from 2-8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 10 a.m.