Roger John McDonough
77, died Friday, March 2 at his home at Independence Court in Monroeville. An outgoing collector of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball memorabilia, McDonough was also known for his love of movies, hats and family vacations. He also had a quick wit. Born May 1, 1940 in Braddock to Raymond Paul and Olga Koerth McDonough, he was the youngest of two. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a liberal arts degree in 1973. While in school, he took his first job at the H.J. Heinz Company, starting out as a mail clerk. He spent 30 years at the company, retiring as their manager of government relations. Work life was interrupted in 1963 when he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed near Fontainebleau, France and served as a private until 1965.   When he returned to Heinz, he finally asked out Mary Ann Gaj, a co-worker in the inventory department. Their first date (and first kiss) took place at Forbes Field, watching the Pittsburgh Pirates play the St. Louis Cardinals (they lost, 3-2). The couple married Aug. 12, 1967, and eventually moved to Penn Hills, which they called home for more than 40 years. In 1976, they adopted their son, Mark. McDonough quickly introduced him to his love of baseball. When Mark turned 15, they began attending Opening Day, a tradition they carried on for 23 years, first at Three Rivers and then at PNC Park. McDonough liked to collect lots of things, but most well known were his collections of baseball bobbleheads, bats, figurines and cards, which he displayed annually for years at the Penn Hills Library at the start of Spring Training. McDonough was a member of St. Gerard Majella Church in Verona, and served as an eucharistic minister for about 15 years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond. He is survived by his wife; his son; his daughter-in-law, Staci; and his granddaughter, Elena.


Friends received in William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Monday 2-4, 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers, Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Gerard Majella Church, Tuesday 10 a.m. Burial at All Saints Braddock Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to the Parkinson's Foundation 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131.

 

 

Vannessa R. Simmons

Age 47, originally of Wilkinsburg, passed away Monday, February 26, 2018 at 2:45 a.m. She is the beloved mother of Justin Simmons; niece of Vannessa and George Hawes, Hudie Evans and Christopher Evans; daughter of the late Walter and Victoria Simmons; boyfriend of Ronald Pearce; close cousin to David Hawes, Tara Wright, Jennifer Carr, Emily Mahler, Sarah Evans, Dorene Whitehead, the Woodard Family and numerous other cousins; close friend of Robin, Jeanne, Tenisha and several other friends, nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received in William F. Gross Funeral Home Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills where blessing service will be held Monday at 11:45 a.m. Visitation SUNDAY ONLY 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

 

 

Victoria “Dolly” Rizzo

Age 94, of Penn Hills, on Monday, February 26, 2018. Beloved wife of the late Rocco J. Rizzzo, mother of Victoria Maue, Rose Marie (Richard) Mathias, Roxanne (Bill) Kestner and Gina (Jeff) Miller; sister of Danny Lodovico, Felix Mercurio, Paul Mercurio, Gloria Miele and Frank Mercurio; grandmother of six; great grandmother of nine.

Friends received in the William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Road (at Rodi Road) Penn Hills on Thursday 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers Friday 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Bartholomew Church, 10 a.m.

 

 

Alfred E. Flaherty

Age 89, of Penn Hills, on Tuesday February 27, 2018. husband of the late Martha; father of Gail (the late William) Redpath; Lynne (Brian) Fedak; Anne Flaherty (John Lajzo), Joyce Flaherty, and Kate Martin; grandfather of Nicole (Jimmy) Hunkele, Michelle Flaherty (Josh Harding), Amber (Warren) Newton, Zoё Flaherty and Emma Martin; great-grandfather of Luke Harding. Alfred loved spending time with his grandchildren and loved the Steelers.

Friends will be received at the William F. Gross Funeral Home, 11735 Frankstown Road (at Rodi Road) Pittsburgh, PA 15235 where a service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. Visitation Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

 

 

Leonard A. D’Amico
Age 83, of North Huntingdon, formerly of Penn Hills, on Sunday February 25, 2018. Beloved husband of Mary Ann (Kirby); father of Donna (Ed) Miller, Diane (Bill) Egan, Lenny D’Amico (Terri Mrazik) and Lisa (Duane) Bailey; grandfather of Zach, Mandi, Nick, Melissa, Nicole, Connor, Lauryn, Jarred, Kevin and Brian; brother of Mary Monteleone. Len was a retired Penn Hills Police Officer and a U.S. Army Veteran. In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to the Police Helping People Daily (PHPD) fund c/o PH Police, 12245 Frankstown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, Attn: Det. Trogler
Friends will be received at the William F. Gross Funeral Home, 11735 Frankstown Road (at Rodi Road) Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Prayers Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Agnes Church (Irwin, PA) 11 a.m.

 

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