ITALIAN TEASEOnorevole uno tra molto ca...'s blog: "THE LOST ONE'S"

Former Geibel football coach remembered fondly By Jason Black DAILY COURIER SPORTS EDITOR Thursday, July 19, 2007 The death of former Geibel football coach Angelo Dippolito leaves a void at the small Catholic school in Connellsville. "It was a transition time in football when Angelo came here," Geibel athletic director Ken Misiak said. "He brought knowledge of the game, and he reached out to the kids. The kids responded to him." Dippolito, 64, died Friday. Dippolito was the head football coach at Geibel from 2001-06. During that time, he was instrumental in helping the Gators establish a new home field behind the school. His teams never produced a winning season, but Dippolito will be remembered for more than just what he accomplished on the field. "Success isn't always measured in wins and losses," Misiak said. "Angelo was always looking out for the kids, and he will go down as one of our better coaches at Geibel." Dippolito was known as a coach that was tough, but fair. Brian Henckel, one of Dippolito's assistant coaches at Geibel, said players and coaches always knew where they stood with Dippolito. "He was a guy that told you how he felt," Henckel said. "But no matter what happened, even if you had a little tiff with him, you usually would walk away laughing. "Overall, he was a great guy. He treated the kids and the coaches with extreme respect, and that is the greatest thing about him." Dippolito lived in Rillton and spent 43 years of his life dedicated to youth and high school sports. He was a charter member of the St. Agnes Youth Football Organization. Prior to his death, Dippolito had stepped down as the Gators' football coach, but he was working as the athletic director for the Diocese of Greensburg and as an assistant athletic director at Geibel. "He was just a great guy that supported the kids and supported Geibel," Henckel said. "It's a tough loss for the Geibel community. Angelo was a great individual." Dippolito will be remembered by many, especially his former players. Current Geibel quarterback Mick Betler, who will be a junior this school year, noted that his interest in playing football can directly be attributed to Dippolito. "I first met Angelo when I was in eighth grade, and he told me that he wanted me to play football," Betler said. "He is the reason I played football and the reason I came to Geibel. "He was the greatest coach that I have ever had, and he is one of the best individuals that I have ever known."

Angelo R. Dippolito Rillton Angelo R. Dippolito, 64, of Rillton, passed away Friday, July 13, 2007, at Mercy Jeannette Hospital. Son of Clara Dippolito and the late Palmo Dippolito. Angelo was a member of St. Edward's Parish and a U.S. Army veteran. He was a retired sheet metal fabricator from Hankinson Corporation. His involvement with youth and high school athletics lasted more than 43 years. Angelo was currently the Diocese of Greensburg Athletic Director and the co-athletic director at Geibel Catholic High School and a charter member of the St. Agnes Youth Football Organization. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Jeanne Sada Dippolito; a daughter, Angela, of Rillton; two sons, Brian and his wife, Maria, of Franklin, and Anthony and his wife, Autumn, of Erie; two grandchildren, Samuel and Angelo II; brothers, Paul and Sheryl, of Cranberry Township, and Robert, of North Huntingdon; a sister, Roxanne and Ed Kulasa, of Coulter; and his golden retriever, Teddy. Friends will be received from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday at the JAMES W. SHIRLEY FUNERAL HOME INC., Clay Pike, North Huntingdon. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Edward Church in Herminie. PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO CHURCH. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Irwin. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Geibel Catholic High School, 611 E. Crawford Ave., Connellsville, PA 15425.

HERMINIE, Pa. -- Two brothers were killed in a high-speed crash along a rural road on Sunday. Daniel Lee Geary, 20, and Dennis Charles Geary, 22, were killed in the crash in Sewickley Township, state police in Westmoreland County said. Both men were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene after their car crashed on Clay Pike, about one mile from their parent's home. Authorities said Daniel Geary was driving nearly 100 mph when he rounded a curve and lost control of his Honda Civic, striking a concrete wall and tree.Police said the impact was so intense that it split the car in two.The brothers were the only siblings in the family, authorities said.Friends of the family said Daniel Geary was engaged to be married and that the couple was expecting a baby next month.Both brothers were graduates of Yough High School and worked with their parents at the Laurel Highlands Foundation in North Versailles.

Dennis C. Geary Jr. Irwin Dennis C. Geary Jr., 22, of Irwin, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Dennis was born May 18, 1985, in Greensburg, a son of Victoria Steiner Focht and her husband, Thomas, of Herminie, and Dennis C. Geary Sr., of Sutersville. He was a 2003 graduate of Yough High School, and attended Westmoreland County Community College. He participated in mixed martial arts and was a car enthusiast. He was employed by the Laurel Highlands Foundation, in North Versailles, where he was a program assistant. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving family; his maternal grandparents, Jerry and Gloria Steiner, of Irwin; his maternal great-grandmothers, Phyllis Balog, of Herminie, and Edna Mae Steiner, of Darragh; and his paternal grandmother, Ruth Ann Bernard, of Sutersville. He is also survived by his fiancee, Chelsea Smouse, of West Newton; and his aunts and uncles, Jerry and Debra Steiner, and Dana Geary. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 136, Madison. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Madison Union Cemetery.

Daniel L. Geary Connellsville Daniel L. Geary, 20, of Connellsville, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Daniel was born Sept. 23, 1986, in Jeannette, a son of Victoria Steiner Focht and her husband, Thomas, of Herminie, and Dennis C. Geary Sr., of Sutersville. He was a 2005 graduate of Yough High School, and he was a motorcycle and car enthusiast. He was employed by Laurel Highlands Foundation, in North Versailles, where he was a program assistant. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his loving family; his maternal grandparents, Jerry and Gloria Steiner, of Irwin; his maternal great-grandmothers, Phyllis Balog, of Herminie, and Edna Mae Steiner, of Darragh; and his paternal grandmother, Ruth Ann Bernard, of Sutersville. He is also survived by his fiancee, Jamie Cooper Brown, of Connellsville, and unborn baby boy, Daniel Thomas Geary; and his aunts and uncles, Jerry and Debra Steiner, and Dana Geary. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the BEATTY-RICH FUNERAL HOME INC., Route 136, Madison. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Madison Union Cemetery.

Co-workers mourn deaths of Westmoreland brothers By Paul Peirce TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Word spread quickly Monday at the nonprofit agency that employed brothers Dennis and Daniel Geary that the two died late Sunday as a result of an automobile accident near their homes in Westmoreland County. "Dennis and Dan worked as program assistants, working directly with our clients in group homes -- primarily in the West Newton area -- and it's been awfully hard on all of us," said Jim Pearl, human resources director for the Laurel Highlands Foundation Inc., which offers programs serving developmentally challenged individuals. "They were both good kids and very well-liked by both their co-workers and by our clients alike." Their mother, Victoria Focht, of Herminie, also works at the foundation, which operates group homes in Allegheny, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. Their father is Dennis Geary. "This is a really tough day for all of us here," Pearl said of the foundation based in North Versailles, Allegheny County. "We haven't really begun breaking the news to our clients who Dennis and Dan worked with because the employees are in such shock." State police at Greensburg blamed speed for the one-vehicle crash, which occurred about 10:20 p.m. Sunday along Claypike Road, about 100 yards south of Orchard Drive, in Sewickley Township. Police said the 1995 Honda Civic was driven by Daniel Lee Geary, 20, of Sewickley Avenue, Herminie, with Dennis Charles Geary Jr., 22, of Crescent Drive, near Rillton, in the front passenger seat. Police said the younger Geary was driving south and crossed the double-yellow line into the opposite lane. Reports said that when the driver attempted to steer back into his lane, he overcompensated and lost control of the car. Police said the car hit a stone wall and a tree. Police said Dennis Geary was thrown from the car, while Daniel Geary had to be extricated. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene by county Deputy Coroner Gerald Fritz. Neither man was wearing a seat belt, according to Trooper David McClintock. Friends of the brothers, who were graduates of Yough High School, placed flower memorials at the scene of the crash yesterday. Family and friends have established a memorial fund: "Dennis and Daniel Geary Fund" c/o National City Bank, 226 Main St., Irwin, PA 15642. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Beatty-Rich Funeral Home Inc. in Madison.

On Sunday afternoon Sarah Lynn Budd...a friend of mine from high school was killed in a tragic car accident on Pennwoods Drive (they say that she failed to iniciate a left hand turn). Sarah was a good friend, sister, and daughter...she'll be deeply missed by all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace... GOD BLESS!

Howard R. Lewis North Huntingdon Howard R. "Buckey" Lewis, 60, of North Huntingdon, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007. Son of the late Donald L. and Nettie (McComas) Lewis. Husband of the late Luanne (Folino) Lewis. Beloved father of Brittney M. and Brandon L. Lewis. Brother of Donald "Butch" (Jean) and Robin Lewis. Son-in-law of Frances and the late Anthony Sr. Folino. Brother-in-law of Pinky (Dave) Kelly, Anthony Folino and Joanne (Donald) Saula. Also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME INC., 208 Marguerite Ave., Wilmerding, 412-824-4331. Services will be at 9 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Entombment in Penn-Lincoln Memorial Park.

Well...unlike Steve Josh didn't need any reconstructive surgery done to his face; however, he still didn't look like Josh. There were pictures of him up from the time he was a baby til present day. There were some sentimental things in with him. His mom an dad an brothers were so calm... It was kinda like Steve's minus the rap music that was playing for him; however, they did have Josh's car sitting out front. My bois Donovan an Rick decided to buy 99 red balloons for his funeral...it's what Josh wanted (he told them so the night before he was killed). They're ordering them tomarrow an then the day of his burial we're letting them all go in the air. Josh you are very much missed and loved by many people. RIP my dear friend...one day soon...we'll meet again. GOD BLESS! -Shara-

JOSH T. HERMANN Current mood: depressed Category: numb Life HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT KILLED IN I-70 HIT-AND-RUN SMITHTON, Pa. -- State police in Westmoreland County said an 18-year-old man was fatally struck by a car while walking on Interstate 70 early Sunday morning. Joshua Hermann, a Yough Senior High School student from Lowber, was struck and killed near the Smithton exit, police said. The car that struck Hermann did not stop, police said. Police said Hermann may have been hit anytime between 3 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. His body was discovered by the driver of another car at about 6:50 a.m., police said. A witness led investigators to a vehicle that is being examined, and two people are being questioned, police said. Relatives said Hermann's car broke down on Dutch Hollow Road, and he walked up to the interstate. "I don't understand how you could leave somebody for three hours not knowing if they're alive or passed away," said Hermann's father, Paul. "How can you do that?" The county coroner ruled Hermann's death an accident and is awaiting results of a toxicology test. JOSHUA T. HERMANN Joshua T. Hermann, 18, of Lowber, died tragically Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007. He was born Aug. 18, 1988, in Mt. Pleasant, a beloved son of Paul and Brenda (Courie) Hermann, of Lowber. Josh would have been a 2007 graduate of Yough High School, with future plans of becoming a registered nurse. Currently, he was employed by Briarcliff Pavilion in North Huntingdon as a dietary aide. He enjoyed hunting and loved to play deck hockey. He was very proud of his car and will be known for his smile and witty comments. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and residents of Briarcliff Pavilion. Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the JOSEPH W. NICKELS FUNERAL HOME INC., Herminie, 724-446-7251. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Sutersville. Interment will follow in West Newton Cemetery.