Thomas Salvatore Pennavaria, 88, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital, Latrobe, PA.He was born November 27, 1922 in Blairsville, PA to Italian immigrants Giovanni and Bernadetta (Corso) Pennavaria.Mr. Pennavaria was raised in Blairsville and attended Blairsville High School where he was a member of the wrestling team.He was inducted into the Army during World War II and became part of the "Greatest Generation". He survived the landing at Normandy and is pictured on the front cover of the Life Magazine issue showing the U.S. Army marching down the Champs Elyees in the liberation of France.He found employment at Westinghouse, Derry, and retired after 30 years as a master electrician.Mr. Pennavaria was a member of SS Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, Italian Club, Blairsville, Derry Rod and Gun Club, United Electricians of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and was a former member of the Blairsville Volunteer Fire Company. He loved to hunt and fish in his spare time with his closest friends. He married Josephine Patti on April 6, 1945 and they had three children that survive him,Thomas J. Pennavaria and wife, Brenda of Salt Lake City, Utah, Pamela Donovan and husband, Thomas of Greensburg and James S. "Ned" Pennavaria and wife, Elizabeth of Latrobe; seven grandchildren, Jason Pennavaria, Joshua Becker, Jeffrey Becker, Shawn Donovan, Justin Pennavaria, Jarod Pennavaria and Jessica Pennavaria; two brothers, Charles Pennavaria and wife, Carol and Frank Pennavaria of Irvine, California and a sister, Josephine Heffner of Garden Grove, California.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Josephine (Patti) Pennavaria in 1990 a brother, Joseph and a sister, Ida Wood.He was known as "Pappy" to his beloved grandchildren, family and friends. He loved to cook for his family and friends and was known for his sauce and his breakfasts at the beach. He loved to dance and could really "cut a rug" on the dance floor. To his nieces and nephews he will always be remembered as a very loved and respected "Uncle Tom"."Tom" will be missed by more than just his family. He was well known in Blairsville and has helped many people in doing electrical work and most anything else. He was not only a master electrician but also a master of many other skills. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Thursday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA where a Wake service will be held at 8:30 P.M. Thursday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Friday at SS Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville, with Fr. Chester J. Raimer as celebrant. Interment will be in SS Simon & Jude Cemetery, Blairsville.Military services will be accorded by the Blairsville VFW Post #5821 and the American Legion Post #0407.The family requests memorial donations be made to the Excela Health Hospice or to Indiana County Aging Services, in lieu of flowers.
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