WILLIAM E. GROOMES
Age 82, Originally of Columbus OH, of Chambersburg PA, formerly of Wexford and Penn Hills, born November 18, 1932, Bill led a healthy and fulfilling life until cancer ended his life on June 27, 2015. Bill & his wife of 49 years, Josephine, who passed in 2005, made the Pittsburgh area home to them and their five children. Most notably, Bill established the ABC Fire Extinguisher Co. in 1960, and the fire protection-safety firm continues to serve customers under the strong work ethic and unwavering integrity Bill instilled in ABC. He was one of the founding fathers of PaFED, the state organization for fire equipment distributors. Always the man generous with his time and talents, Bill was politically active in Marshall Township, Wexford; and he served as the Penn Hills scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 557 for years. Bill also served his country during the Korean War in the Navy as a seaman USN-1 from ’51 to ’55. He enjoyed gardening, the blackjack tables at casinos and being with his family. He will always be remembered for his “Groomisms”, comical puns expressed by his quick wit, and for making the best homemade vegetable soup. He will be greatly missed by his surviving family: Wife since November of 2009, Shirley (Fulmer) Groomes, Son William Groomes Jr. (Lynn). Daughters Debbie Fannie, Diane Groomes and Darlene Grace Groomes (Tim). His 14 grandchildren Christopher, Brendan, Autumn, Sean, Austi, Ryan, Tiffany, Tom, Amber, Ashley, Tyler, Breanna, Easton & Holland. 12 great-grandchildren which included an especially close relationship with Gino Fannie.With the blended families, additionally 5 stepchildren and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, Sister Betty (Ted) Janssen of OH and many special nephews and nieces. Bill was preceded in death by his “Earth Angel” Jo, son Tony Groomes, three sisters and one brother.
Friends received in William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills WEDNESDAY ONLY 3-7 p.m. Military honors will be held at the funeral home immediately following the viewing.
Deborah L. “Debbie” Petrelli
Age 58, of Penn Hills, after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, June 20, 2015 beloved wife of Daniel; step mother of Dino, Bryan (fiancé Rachel George) and the late Daniel W. Petrelli; Beloved grandmother of Brandon O’Bryan; sister of Diane (Jim) Dougherty and Donna (fiancé John Saylor) Brown; niece of Ray Weitzel; also survived by beloved nieces and nephews.
Debbie worked for Giant Eagle for over 41 years in many capacities retiring in May of 2015 as Director of Independent Retailing. In lieu of flowers contributions acknowledged to the American Cancer Society or Family Hospice and Palliative Care. 103 Yost Blvd. Pittsburgh 15221.
Friends received in William F. Gross Funeral Home Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd (at Rodi Rd) Penn Hills TUESDAY ONLY 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Service and interment private.
Dorothy V. Merlino
age 74, of Penn Hills, on Saturday June 6, 2015. Beloved wife of the late Paul; mother of Paul and Lisa Merlino; grandmother of
Rachel Lynn Merlino; sister of Robert Pudo.
Friends received in William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills Tuesday 2-4 and 6 until time of blessing service at 8PM.
Rosemary L. Mathieu
Age 80, of Penn Hills, on Friday, June 12, 2015. Beloved wife of the late Alfred; mother of Jim (Cindy), Tom, Marty (Debbie) Mathieu and Cinde (Todd) Palkovich; grandmother of Jimmy (Amy), Ryan (Megan), B.J. (Kelly) and, Alan (Lauren) Mathieu and Kristin (Ryan) Crispell, Eric Palkovich and Brittany (A.J.) Kryzosiak; great grandmother of Kaleb, Brooke, Adelyn, Brandon and Aubrey Mathieu, Drew and Paige Kryzosiak, and Collin Crispell. In lieu of flowers contributions acknowledged to Forbes Hospice, 4800 Friendship Ave.,
Pittsburgh, PA 15224.
Friends received in William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral prayers Monday 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial in St. Susanna Church 10 a.m.
Joseph A. Fanelli
Born May 27, 1932, passed away peacefully into the arms of Our Lord on June 3, 2015. Lovingly raised in Pittsburgh by parents Mary and Henry; he moved to NYC and later years, the Sarasota/Bradenton, FL area. Survived by his wife of 20 years, Pauline (Stumpf), former wife, Cindy of NYC; brother Rico (Althea) of FL, late brother Frank (Maria); daughters, Dina from NYC and Carla (Christopher) O’Reilly of Miami, FL; Pap Pap to Aiden and Fiona O’Reilly; step children Lisa Pecora of Sarasota, Laina (Craig) Schechtman of CA, Peter Pecora of Oakmont and Paula (Richard) DiGeronimo of Independence, OH and Pap Joe to
10 step grandchildren.
Joe was a loving son, brother husband, father and grandfather. Serving in the Korean War he was a committed Patriot. A perpetual candle will be lit in the Arlington Cemetery, WA. To know him, was to love him and he loved back. With his family musical background, singing was a natural talent performing on stage and TV for 15 years.
Joe has been a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, wrote song lyrics published by Notable Music, children’s books, his autobiography and the reknown “A Century of Fine Carriage Clocks”. A skilled clock maker, he maintained many antique clocks to the “stars” and Europeans. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church.
Friends received in William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral prayers Thursday at 9:30a.m., Mass of Christian burial in St. Bartholomew Church 10 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In Lieu of Flowers contributions acknowledged to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34288 (941-552-7500)