Edward M. Napoletan

Edward M. Napoletan, 83, of Butler, died Saturday at Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot.

Born June 12, 1933, in Butler, he was a son of the late Anthony and Teresa Chiprean Napoletan.

Before his retirement, Mr. Napoletan owned and operated Napoletan’s Dry Cleaners and Napoletan’s Carpet Cleaning.

He was a member of Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Ann Napoletan; and cherished granddaughter, Jessica Napoletan, both of Columbus, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and six sisters.

A longtime amateur radio operator, he spent many joyful hours making contacts around the world long before the Internet made such communications standard practice.

He was active in the Butler County Amateur Radio Association and the Butler County Amateur Radio Public Service Group and was responsible for the formation of the latter.

In 1992, the Butler County Board of Commissioners recognized Mr. Napoletan for many years of outstanding service as the Butler County Emergency Management Agency’s Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (R.A.C.E.S.) coordinator.

R.A.C.E.S. was created by FEMA and the FCC in 1952. Volunteers of the organization are certified by a civil defense agency and are the only amateur radio operators authorized to transmit during declared emergencies when the president of the United States specifically invokes the War Powers Act. The volunteer operators regularly participate in drills to ensure they are prepared for emergencies should normal communication channels be rendered useless.

Mr. Napoletan’s favorite pastimes included tinkering with electronics, listening to jazz, and working on projects around the house. He was an enthusiastic Pittsburgh sports fan and especially enjoyed following the Pirates. He loved spending time outdoors and had a passion for fishing. Many of his favorite moments were spent at Lake Arthur.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kathy Selvaggi and the Palliative Care team at Butler Memorial Hospital, as well as the staff at Good Samaritan Hospice, Cabot, for the gentle, compassionate end of life care they provided.

NAPOLETAN — There will be no visitation for Edward M. Napoletan, who died Saturday, June 3, 2017.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler.

Everyone attending is asked to please meet at the church.

Burial will take place at St. Michael’s Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, 134 Marwood Road., Cabot, PA 16023, Butler County Amateur Radio Public Service Group, PO Box 141, Prospect, PA 16052, or Butler County Amateur Radio Association, PO Box 1787, Butler, PA 16001.

Arrangements are under the care of MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 429 Center Ave., Butler.

For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.