William F. Gross

Clara (Russo) Conner

Age 88, of Penn Hills, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022. Born on July 19, 1934 in Hopedale, OH, she was the daughter of the late Geanor and Giovanna “Jeanette” (Laratta) Russo. Clara grew up on a family farm in the coal mining region of Harrison County, OH. Clara moved to Pittsburgh in 1952 after graduating from Hopedale High School and worked for American Casualty Insurance. She met her husband Gilbert Daniel Conner and they married on July 26, 1958. She raised two sons and a daughter. After the kids were grown, she worked for Reed Smith Law Firm, retiring in 1997.

Clara was a kind, compassionate, and loving woman and was always willing to love and care for her friends and relatives. She had a great group of friends, especially her faithful friends Honey and Don Handyside and family. She enjoyed reminiscing about our family vacations to visit her family in California and loved the company of her Russo and Conner relatives.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents and husband, daughter Lisa Ann (John) Cox and siblings, Louis (Belle) Russo, Virginia (Walter) Sagrilla, Mary (Robert) Bowman, and Benny (Linda) Russo. She is survived by her sister Tresa of Benicia, CA, her sons Kenneth (Victoria) Conner and Daniel (Holly) Conner, grandchildren Rena (Steve) Peddicord, Kasie (Brian) Baverso, Amanda Cox, Lauren Conner, Fiona Conner, and Ava Conner, great-grandchildren Cody (Sara), Molly (Mike), William, and Connor, great-great-grandchildren Colbie, Cassie, Emersyn, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.

Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Monday, January 2, 2023 from 3 until the time of closing prayers at 7 p.m. A private burial will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

Leonard “Len” Rubin

Age 79, of Penn Hills, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Beloved husband of the late Anna Marie; father of Marcy, Leonard, Jr., and Richard Rubin; grandfather of Marissa, Madison, Megan, Connor, Josh, Jennifer, Jake, and Cory; brother of Jack (the late Marilyn), David (the late Joanne), Allan (Janie), Martin (Margaret), Beverly Rubin, Esther (Bill) McCallum, Ethel (the late Andy) Matsko, the late Manuel Rubin, Eva (Abe) Warszawski, Freida (surviving Gerry) Gross, Beryl (Robert Jones) Mayberry, and Marlene (the late Joe Yanko and Frank) Gaito. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, especially his close friend Timmy. Len was a hardworking man that provided for his family. Throughout his life, he worked several jobs including being a delivery driver for many local businesses, including delivering newspapers. He was a people person that enjoyed a good conversation with anyone he met. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Humane Animal Rescue League, 6926 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208.

Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Monday, December 26, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Blessing Service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 11 a.m.

Paul Spiri

Age 71, of Plum Borough, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Beloved husband of Barbara; father of Doug (Katie) Spiri and Julia Spiri; grandfather of Hannah, Olivia, and Bennett; brother of Nancy Taylor and Mark (Noralynn) Spiri. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Paul is a member of Living Word of Plum Congregation.

Paul was an avid Pittsburgh fan. Regardless of their records, he loved his Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. He enjoyed photography and had a great eye for composition.   Traveling was also a love and he has the pictures to prove it! When able, he spent his time swimming, golfing or biking and earlier in life, he loved to play tennis. We called him MacGyver because he had a knack for fixing whatever went awry.

Paul had a wonderful sense of humor and was able to make others smile.  His greatest loves were his children and grandchildren. He was the central part of his daughter's special needs care. It was a blessing that he was able to meet the newest grandchild,

Bennett Paul, born on September 8th.   He will be sorely missed by all.

Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Monday, December 26, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A final viewing will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 10 a.m. followed by a Funeral Service at Living Word of Plum, 200 Elicker Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15239 at 11 a.m. Paul will be interred at Plum Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Make A Wish, 1702 East Highland Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85016 or Living Word of Plum, 200 Elicker Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15239.

John J. “Sonny” Santarcangelo

Originally of Brushton, formerly of Penn Hills, passed away on Friday, December 16, 2022. Born on March 10, 1928 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Anthony and Teresa Santarcangelo. Sonny was a US Army Veteran. He was a self-taught cook that worked at Park Schenley Restaurant for many years and was the owner of Eldronica. He then moved on to the former Churchill Valley Country Club where he served as the general manager for 35 years. John is preceded in death by his late wife Martha and is survived by his wife of 16 years, Sue Santarcangelo, daughters Veronica (John) Zelazowski and Melissa Santarcangelo, son Michael Bennett, granddaughters Alyssa Croney and Mia Zelazowski, sister Marie Santarcangelo, and niece Samantha Diceky, who he raised. Also survived by cousins that were like sister, Helen and the late Elvera.

There will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Parish – St. John Fisher Church, 33 Lewin Ln., Pittsburgh, PA 15235 on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 12 p.m.