James John Gazvoda, Sr.

James John Gazvoda, Sr., 86, of Canonsburg, died Sunday, July 9, 2017, in Acuity Specialty Hospital, Wheeling, West Virginia. He was born June 23, 1931, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Frank and Helen Vavrik Gazvoda. Mr. Gazvoda graduated from Washington High School. A Korean War Era veteran, he served in the Army with the 601st Ordnance Battalion, earning a National Defense Service Medal and Occupation Medal – Germany. Mr. Gazvoda was a self-employed contractor, building many local homes.   He served as a Cecil Township supervisor from 1978 to 1992, and was the first coach for the Knee Pants Football Team in Canonsburg/Cecil. He was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Cecil, and St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg. In the past several years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Darlah, and taking many fishing trips with his brother-in-law, Pastor Michael Smalley, and sister-in-law, Sally Smalley, of Seffner, Florida.  He also enjoyed camping and going to the beach. Surviving is his wife, Darlah Weishner Gazvoda, whom he married in a church ceremony on February 19, 2010, and in a civil ceremony on November 17, 2010. Also surviving are five children, Deb Macarelli (Joe) of Cecil, Jim Gazvoda (Becky, deceased) of Canonsburg, Bruce Gazvoda (Gloria) of Cecil, JoAnn Robinson (Chris) of Cecil, and Janine Lyons (Rick) of North Carolina; two stepchildren, Shelly Hower (Doug) of Amity and Jim Mull III (Stacia) of Dublin, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; three brothers, Frank Gazvoda of Canonsburg, Ed Gazvoda of Maryland, and Tom Gazvoda of Canonsburg; and four sisters, Jane Marsh of Floral City, Florida, Mary Ann Anweiler, Kathy Kersten and Virginia Roberts, all of Pittsburgh. Deceased is a brother, Joe Gazvoda. Friends will be received on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where a Funeral Message will be officiated by Rev. M.J. Smalley, at 7:30 p.m., Thursday.   A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, July 14th, in St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Canonsburg.  Entombment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Mr. Gazvoda will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.  In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness in his memory.