William F. Gross

Frank D. “Frankie” Donatelli

Passed away peacefully with his mother at his side, Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Beloved son of Carolyn and the late Frank J. Donatelli; brother of Laurie Donatelli and Gina (Tim Artz) Donatelli; uncle of Sam Artz. Also survived by many extended relatives, especially his faithful cousin Michael Donatelli and dear friends Dan, Evelyn, Patty, and Father Mike.

Frank will always be remembered for his devotion to the Catholic faith, the goodness of his heart, his strong will, and wit. True to his nature, Frank faced the battle against his illness with bravery and determination, fighting fiercely without a flinch until the very end.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Frank’s second home, St. Patrick Church, 57 21st St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Friday, August 16, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 57 21st St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10 a.m. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.

Richard Dean “Dick” Holm

Age 80, of Penn Hills, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024. Beloved husband of 55 years of Pat; father of Michele (Richard) Zula of North Huntingdon and David (the late Jessica) Holm; grandfather of Elias, George, Owen, Benjamin, Abigail, Richard, Jr., and Aidah; brother of Kenneth (Barb) of Quincy, IL and Sandra Mills of Bakersfield, CA. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and continued his education through the University of Pittsburgh to obtain his Master’s Degree. He spent 40 years working at Westinghouse Research and Development in Churchill and was a consultant for Siemen’s until he retired. He was an eagle scout and enjoyed playing tennis, bike riding, photography (especially of his grandchildren’s activities), and wood working. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Susan G. Komen Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889 Dallas, TX 75380 or to Mon/Yough Trail Council (MYTC), P.O. Box 14 McKeesport, PA 15135.

Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish St. Susanna Church 200 Stotler Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15235 on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 10 a.m. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.

William Lawrence Jacob

Passed from this life into the next on the morning of Monday, August 5, 2024 at home surrounded by his precious family.  Bill is survived by his cherished wife Barbara Jean, his six children; William Jacob (Janet), Jennifer Patterson, Daniel Jacob (Nellie), Catherine Krajewski (Kaz), Gregory Jacob (Ashley), Elizabeth Kirstein (Joel) as well as 12 grandchildren.

Bill was born December 10, 1938 in the Pittsburgh suburb of Homewood, son of Barbara Walburga Hubert and Vincent Byron Jacob; brother of Vincent Jacob, Patricia Strawser, and Barbara Fritz.  Bill attended Holy Rosary grade school and served in the church as an altar boy.  After graduating from Central Catholic High School, he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and later earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon, followed by achieving his Professional Engineer license.  Early in his career, Bill experienced the thrill of working as a test engineer for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and Boeing. After jobs in West Palm Beach, Florida, Seattle, Washington and East Hartford, Connecticut, Bill returned to Pittsburgh for family reasons which gave him a chance to grow close to his nieces and nephews. While working at Westinghouse, Bill met and fell in love with Barbara Jean Sapovchak, a beautiful mathematician and computer programmer who became the love of his life.  They married December 21, 1968 and were steadfastly devoted to each other for over 55 and a half years.

Bill Jacob was an exceptional human being, blessed with a great many talents which he used in service to others, to the glory of God, and to the inspiration of his wife and family.  A talented Professional Engineer, and honorable in all his business dealings, Bill launched Jacob Engineering and Sales in 1970 with Barbara, who played a pivotal role in its success for many years.  Bill's creativity and engineering prowess resulted in several of his inventions being awarded patents for novel technologies which benefitted many industries.  Bill and Barbara made a great team, steadfastly committed and continually appreciating each other's personal traits and growing talents, all the while modeling devoted love and mutual respect throughout their time together.

Bill and Barbara were blessed with six children, and together they raised their close-knit family with boundless love, enthusiasm, a great sense of humor, Faith, hard work, good sportsmanship, selflessness, and constant encouragement.  Bill had a strong relationship with God starting in childhood and continuing through life, recognizing and declaring God's hand in his meeting and marrying Barbara, guiding him in his business endeavors, providing direction at critical times and answering prayers.

Among Bill's many talents which included fine art painting and drawing, semi-professional baseball, water skiing, biking, woodworking, gardening, fishing, reading, and building complex engineered testing models and prototypes, Bill possessed great storytelling ability.  Drawing on his remarkable memory, Bill entertained us all with his detailed stories and recollections of childhood adventures, career highlights as an aeronautic test-engineer, technical challenges faced in his professional career, harrowing scuba diving adventures, whiteout driving conditions while traveling to a daughter's basketball games, and much, much more.  Bill was a very active and engaged father and grandfather who enthusiastically supported all of his children and grandchildren in their endeavors, attending countless sports meets, theater performances, and school activities.  Bill instigated much fun with his family, organizing rag ball and card games, trips to the Carnegie library, bike rides, hikes and water-skiing on the local rivers in his wooden Chris-Craft motorboat.  Bill continuously learned and welcomed new experiences like motor biking and courageously revisited his former scuba skills after he retired. Barbara's constant and capable caretaking of Bill and the family made all things possible and enjoyable.

Despite a healthy lifestyle, Bill experienced multiple heart attacks and strokes which took their toll.  His health declined over the past several years making life physically difficult but Bill's wit and optimism persevered and he was able to rally many times.  As he relied more and more on others, particularly his angel caregiver Barbara, Dad's sweet expressions of gratitude were overflowing.

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, friend, and child of God, Bill Jacob will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him so well.

Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 9 a.m. until the time of Funeral Prayers at 10 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, St. Maurice Church, 2001 Ardmore Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15221 at 11 a.m.

Douglas E. “Doug” Wing

Age 67, of Penn Hills, originally of Apollo, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Thursday, July 25, 2024. Beloved husband of Dawn; father of Josh (Amy) Wing, Jacob (Sarah) Wing, and the late Brian and Brandon Wing; grandfather of Teyghan, Jebediah, and Nathanyal; brother of Laura Shoemaker, Rob Wing, and the late Keith Wing. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Doug was very active in the Apollo-Spring Church Sportsman’s Club, PFSC, and A.B.A.T.E. of PA. He was proud to be a hunter educational instructor for 40 years. He enjoyed bowling, beekeeping, wood working, and many other hobbies. His last employment was working security for the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. His favorite thing to do was spend time with his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the Armstrong county Sportsmen and Conservation League memorial scholarship fund.

Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 11 a.m.