Obituary for Robert J. Gherrity Jr.
Robert J. Gherrity Jr., 90, formerly of 1601 Hillside Court. Tyrone, and a guest at Garvey Manor, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023. He was born at Philipsburg Hospital on September 27, 1932, the son of the late Robert J. and Virginia (Miller) Gherrity Sr. On June 11, 1954, at the Trinity Episcopal Church he married his loving wife Virginia (Welsh) Gherrity, who preceded him in death on March 25, 2014. He is survived by two sons: Robert J. (Amy) Gherrity III of Tyrone, and Michael S. (Carol) Gherrity of Philipsburg; five grandchildren: Andrew Gherrity of Tyrone, Shane (Megan) Gherrity of Dauphin, Nicole Boyer of Tyrone, Robert J. (Bri) Gherrity IV of Hampton, VA, and Rebecca (Matthew) Moschella of Altoona; and seven great-grandchildren: Linae Gherrity, Dereck Boyer, Jackson Boyer, Robert J. Gherrity V, Mira Gherrity, Michael R. Gherrity, and Maddison Moschella.
He attended St. Matthew Catholic School and was a 1951 graduate of Tyrone High School. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 and transferred into the USAF Air Cadets where he trained in electronics, navigation, and as a bombardier. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Texas, Mississippi, Japan, Australia, Kansas, and Arizona where he retired as a Major after 20 years of service. He served in many global regions including Korea and three tours in Vietnam.
After the Air Force, he worked as store manager at Central Distributors Janitorial and Paint Supply as well as the produce department at Ray’s Riverside Grocery Store. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where he served in various capacities for over 30 years including Senior Warden. He also studied theology under Monsignor Walsh. In the late 40’s and early 50’s he played drums for the Dreamtime Serenaders, a jazz and swing band that traveled throughout the local central PA area. He and his wife were also members of the Allegheny Chorale and the Ecumen, a choral group at Trinity Epsicopal.
His passions were love of family, country, and God. He enjoyed singing, the outdoors, hunting, and a sunny day sitting on the front porch. He would begin every day with a quote from an old radio personality, “It’s a beautiful day in Pennsylvania.”
An 11 am funeral service with full military honors for Robert J. Gherrity Jr. will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc. with Deacon Jack Hoffer officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm as well as on Saturday from 10 am until the time of the service. Contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 830 Washington Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686.
He attended St. Matthew Catholic School and was a 1951 graduate of Tyrone High School. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 and transferred into the USAF Air Cadets where he trained in electronics, navigation, and as a bombardier. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Texas, Mississippi, Japan, Australia, Kansas, and Arizona where he retired as a Major after 20 years of service. He served in many global regions including Korea and three tours in Vietnam.
After the Air Force, he worked as store manager at Central Distributors Janitorial and Paint Supply as well as the produce department at Ray’s Riverside Grocery Store. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church where he served in various capacities for over 30 years including Senior Warden. He also studied theology under Monsignor Walsh. In the late 40’s and early 50’s he played drums for the Dreamtime Serenaders, a jazz and swing band that traveled throughout the local central PA area. He and his wife were also members of the Allegheny Chorale and the Ecumen, a choral group at Trinity Epsicopal.
His passions were love of family, country, and God. He enjoyed singing, the outdoors, hunting, and a sunny day sitting on the front porch. He would begin every day with a quote from an old radio personality, “It’s a beautiful day in Pennsylvania.”
An 11 am funeral service with full military honors for Robert J. Gherrity Jr. will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc. with Deacon Jack Hoffer officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Friday, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm as well as on Saturday from 10 am until the time of the service. Contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 830 Washington Ave, Tyrone, PA 16686.