Galante Sr.

Richard B. Galante Sr., 82, of Butler passed away Sunday at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born in Butler, July 6, 1928, he was the son of the late Michael and Michelena DeFoggia Galante.

He was retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

He formerly was employed as a Butler city firefighter, and at Butler Armco, Art's Thom McAn and Kelly Chevrolet.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

He was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, the American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora, the Butler Quarterback Club and the board of directors of the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame. He also volunteered with Butler Area Midget Football for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Avelin L. Gaudino Galante, to whom he was married for 60 years; one son, Richard B. Galante Jr. of Butler; four daughters, Victoria Gina Galante of Butler, Mrs. Michele Schidemantle and her husband, Peter, of Chicora, Mrs. Tina Horsman and her husband, William, of Butler and Mrs. Danielle Rossmiller and her husband, Joseph, of Butler; one brother, Virgil Galante of Butler; three sisters, Mrs. Marie Klutinoty of Florida, Mrs. Rose Dorcy of Butler and Mrs. Louise Leyland and her husband, Harry, of Butler; eight grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Mrs. Frances Creese.

<B>GALANTE </B>— Friends of Richard B. Galante Sr., who died Sunday, July 11, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the <B>Martin Funeral Home</B>, 429 Center Ave., Butler. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Father James Dolan, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Michael Cemetery.The Bereavement Group of St. Michael the Archangel Parish will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home to conduct a scriptural wake service. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the VFW Post 249 of Butler and the American Legion Post 778 of Lyndora.The family requests memorial donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Butler.Information also is available at www.martinfh.net.