Lovaglio

Donald A. Lovaglio, 73, of Findley Township, Mercer County, formerly of Grove City, passed away at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at his home, surrounded by family and friends after an 18-month battle with lung cancer.

Don was born May 26, 1938, in Butler to Ambrose and Mary Fatobeno Lovaglio, who are deceased.

Don got the nickname “Chink” when he was 13 years old.

Following his father's death, he moved to Grove City in 1951 and excelled in football and wrestling at Grove City High School. He graduated in 1957.

Don served in the U.S. Marine Corps from January 1958 to January 1961.

He married Sherry M. Hartman, who survives him, on June 29, 1974.

He retired in 2000 from Cooper Energy Services, Grove City, where he was employed for 40 years.

Don was a Catholic his entire life.

He loved his family, his friends and all animals. He enjoyed Steelers football, hunting, fishing, camping and entertaining, often having friends and family over for cookouts to celebrate Steeler football games.

He and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the world and visited Italy several times to visit his cousins.

In addition to his wife, Don is survived by his son, James Lovaglio of Toledo, Ohio; his daughter, Melinda Lovaglio Bickerstaff and her husband, James, of Mercer; two granddaughters, Kaly and Kara Eves, of Mercer; and last but not least his Great Dane, Maxx. He also is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins in the U.S. and Italy.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by two daughters, Tammy Lovaglio in 1987 and Lucia Lovaglio in 1996; his brother, Salvatore Lovaglio; and two sisters, Joanne Sansotta and Lena Alessio.

<B>LOVAGLIO</B> — Friends of Donald A. Lovaglio, who died Saturday, May 5, 2012, will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at <B>CUNNINGHAM FUNERAL HOME</B>, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City, and from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, before the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial at The Church of The Beloved Disciple, 1310 S. Center Street Ext., Grove City, with the Rev. Father Michael Allison as celebrant.Military honors will follow the funeral Mass at the church.Interment will be at Crestview Memorial Park, Pine Township.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Don's memory can be made to either the VNA Hospice of Western Pa., 154 Hindman Road, Butler, 16001 or to the animal society of the donor's choice.