William F. Gross

Patricia A. "Pat" Pangikas

Like a comet soaring across the sky, Pat Pangikas entered this world on August 16, 1952, and with an even bigger flash, she trailed away to her next journey on May 13, 2022. A long-term resident of Pittsburgh, Pat followed her heart wherever it led, even as far as sneaking to Woodstock at age 17 to see Jimi Hendrix. Pat’s heart and unchained spirit eventually led her to meet her husband, Chris, a jazz musician who frequented the Harley Hotel, and they traveled the country together before finally returning to Pittsburgh to start a family. With an unapologetically selfless personality, Pat loved her family fiercely, stood by her friends, and donated her time to her church and others in need. After working for many years with children in various roles from care provider to teacher’s aide, Pat retired to a quiet home life where she enjoyed the simple things like gardening, adorning her backyard with wind chimes, gazing at her pond, and scratching off lotto tickets. She spent the winter of her life caring for her sick husband, Chris, never faltering in her commitment no matter what she faced. She loved the color purple, anything that sparkled, cooking for her kids, crime dramas, good books, Motown, and her three precious dogs. She cherished her family, her grandchildren most of all. She is preceded in death by her mother and father; her sister, Kathy; and her husband of nearly 40 years, Chris. She is survived by her daughters Cathy (Steve) Masters; Athena (Michael) Pangikas-Miller; Damaris Pangikas; and Mary (Levi) Goehring and grandchildren, Niko, Eli, and Owen Masters; Ares, Persephone, and Ajax Pangikas-Miller; Brando and

Cambria Krist; and Russell and Theodore Goehring. Life in her wake feels like a silent black sky, but we keep the starlight of her memory ablaze in us all. Be kind to one another, be selfless, and always put family first, just like Pat did. At her behest, there will be no viewing or funeral; instead, a celebration of life will be held next month. Her family thanks you for your condolences and prayers. If you’d like to do something in her honor, do a kind deed for someone else, donate to charity, support cancer research, or simply tell someone that you love them. Be present in your life and the lives of others. Be the extraordinary light in this world that Pat was for us.

Michael Pirollo

Age 66, of Penn Hills, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2022 surrounded by his loving family; beloved husband of Patricia (Lee); father of Thomas, Annamarie, and Danielle Pirollo; Son of Anna and the late Thomas  Pirollo; brother of Susan married to Timothy Pittman. He was loved by an extensive list of family, friends, and community members alike including Patricia’s siblings Barbara Trilli, Christel Chuderewicz, Heidi Steele, Beverly Dutkiewicz, and the late Robert Lee . Michael Pirollo pursued his passion for photography in 1974 and started his own business, "Dream Photography", taking wedding and school photos. At 28, he opened the restaurant, "Pizzeria Cafe" in Verona that he operated for about 2-½ years. In 2009, he began working as a commercial and residential real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty. He switched to real estate full time in 2014. He was generously involved in his community as a member of Penn Hills Rotary, the Penn Hills Chamber of Commerce, and the Spigno Saturnia Society. He enjoyed building his dream home from the ground up, competing in disco dancing competitions back in the day, and taking his family on vacations to the beach. Michael lived a legacy of hard work to care for his family.

Friends received in the William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Road (at Rodi Road), Penn Hills, on Sunday, May 15, 2022 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Monday, May 16, 2022 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral prayers will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 10:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Parish, St. John the Baptist Church at 11:30 a.m.

Katherine "Kathy" L. Napolitana

Age 59, of Penn Hills, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022. Beloved wife of David J. Napolitana; mother of Jennifer (Michael Zutich) Napolitana; go-go of Isabelle, Kane, and Mikaela; sister of Anne (Tom) Fitzgerald; aunt of Jessica and Chris (Erin) Fitzgerald and Alaina and Alyssa Napolitana. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B, 5150 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.

Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd, (at Rodi Road) Penn Hills, Wednesday, May 18, 2022 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 11 a.m.

Leonard James Baklarz

Age 96, of Penn Hills, passed away Friday, May 13, 2022. Husband of the late Anne Marie Baklarz; father of Donalee (Tom) Benish, Leonard J. (Elizabeth) Baklarz, Jr., and Lisa-Jo (Ronald) Rygelski, and the late Karianne Baklarz Gleason. Len is survived by brothers Ralph Baklarz and Clarence Baklarz, grandchildren Natalie Jackson, Christopher Trunick, Leonard J. Baklarz, III, Melissa Bruning, Lauren Tomasino, Michael Baklarz, Matthew Rygelski, II and nine great -grandchildren. Len is a World War II Navy veteran having served in Pacific theatre from 1944-1946. He earned a BA from Duquesne University and worked for General Motors until his retirement in 1985.  Len loved his family, ballroom dancing and the Pittsburgh Steelers and was a dedicated volunteer for the Compassionate Friends, Pittsburgh Chapter. In lieu of flowers contributions acknowledged to New Haven Court at Linwood, Attention: Lori Grant, 100 Freedom Way, Greensburg, Pa. 15601. Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd, (at Rodi Road) Penn Hills, Tuesday only, May 17^th, 3-7 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.  Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the Divine Shepherd parish, St. Susanna Catholic Church, 10 a.m.