Schirra

William A. Schirra Sr., 87, of Meridian, formerly of Renfrew, passed from this world on to his great reward on Saturday.

He was the beloved husband of Edythe M. Dodson Schirra for 59 years; loving father of Bill Schirra Jr., Michael (Lola) Schirra, Anne (Jim) Baker, Mary Jo (Rich) Radock, Daniel Schirra, Dr. Vincent (Lois) Schirra, Martin (Debbie) Schirra, and John (Laurie) Schirra.

He is also survived by 19 favorite grandchildren, Kimberly Schirra Lombella, Nada DiGiammarino, Andrea DiGiammarino, Aaron Baker, Megan Baker Lanni, Damian Radock, Ariel Radock, Jolene Schirra, Wesley Schirra, Nathan Schirra, Rachel Schirra, Sara Morgain, Malcolm Schirra, Micah Schirra, Jacob Schirra, Alexander Schirra, Tracey Schirra, Ian Schirra, and Samuel Schirra; eight favorite great-grandchildren; three nieces, and two nephews.

Bill attended Michigan State University, graduating cum laude with under graduate degrees in agricultural and botany. Prior to joining the United States Army, he was a food inspector for the USDA. He served his country for three years during World War II as a surgical technician 4th grade 103rd Station Hospital in North Africa and Italy.

His post war employment included farm manager of St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, farm owner of Morning Star Farm in Renfrew, salesman for Worthmore Feeds, and he was a life insurance agent and chartered life underwriter for Massachusetts Mutual and Connecticut Life Insurance companies.

Bill had always believed in giving to the community of mankind and was quite active both locally and nationally. Some of his contributions to and for the betterment of mankind included being the co-founder of the Center for Men of Christ the King in Herman, organizer of the Butler Chapter of the Christian Family Movement at St. Conrad, currently St. Fidelis in Meridian, co-founder and former president of the Butler County Human Relations Association, co-founder of the Natural Foods Association of Butler, a founding member of CESJ (Council for Economic and Social Justice) meeting with Pope John Paul II in Rome and Ronald Reagan at the White House to present the Project for Economic Justice to the President and Congress. He was a Boy Scout leader, a board member of the Pittsburgh Diocese Family Life Association, Religious Education Teacher for more than 30 years, and lector and member of St. Conrad/St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian.

Bill loved nature and organic gardening and taught his children and grandchildren to appreciate and respect the world of nature including trees, birds, wildlife, fauna and flora. In addition to gardening, his passions were singing, dancing, reading, debating and fishing. He credited his longevity with his consumption of natural and organic foods and his daily jogging and exercise routine well into his 80s.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Sara Schirra; and his brother, Robert K. Schirra.

<B>SCHIRRA</B> — Friends of William A. Schirra Sr., who died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Road, Meridian. Interment will follow at the St. Mary Cemetery, Herman.Military honors at the cemetery will be provided by the Ceremonial Honor Squad of the VFW Post 249, Butler.Memorial donations may be made to the Butler St. Vincent DePaul Society, 400 E. Locust St., Butler, PA 16001.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.