The Very Rev. Father James Bryan Deep, formerly of Butler, passed away peacefully Friday in his 89th year.

He was the beloved husband of the late Eloise Mae (Mello) Deep, the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Deep of Bridgeville and the oldest brother of 10 surviving siblings and four predeceased siblings.

He was the loving father of Ellen E. Hyatt (David) of Charleston, S.C., James B. Deep Jr. (Mary) of Fort Myers, Fla., and Deborah A. Waterkotte (Peter) of Verona; grandfather of Mark S. Deep (Kerry) of Cape Coral, Fla., and Deana M. Fennick (Rob) of Butler; and great-grandfather of Dalton, Eli and Abi. He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Father James will be missed by his “cruise companion,” Sigmund Hiller of Memphis, Tenn., and by James Waterkotte Manges as Father James was his “Big Pup.”

Father James was beloved by his many friends at Beechtree Commons of Verona, where he lived for the past nine years.

He was a first sergeant and a survivor of World War II, serving in Hawaii and the South Pacific.

He was foreman of the O. Hommel Co. in Carnegie.

He was ordained to the priesthood of the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese in 1970 and then served as the priest at St. Anthony Orthodox Church in Butler. In 1986, he was ordained as an archpriest. Father James served as the past Orthodox chaplain at Veterans Affairs hospital, now VA Butler Healthcare, in Butler and also at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

<B>DEEP</B> — Viewing and a priest funeral service for the Very Rev. Father James Bryan Deep, who died Friday, Aug. 26, 2011, were Sunday at the St. George Antiochian Church, Bridgeville. A divine liturgy service was Monday at the church, followed by burial.In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the St. George of Bridgeville Building Fund, 610 Dewey Ave., Bridgeville, PA 15017 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.Arrangements are by <B>Warchol Funeral Home</B>, Bridgeville, 412-221-3333. To view and to add condolences, go to www.warcholfuneralhome.com.