Albert J. Varricchio, 1859 Village Path, Hermitage, passed away at 10:05 a.m. Sunday (10-3-10) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 82.

Mr. Varricchio was born June 25, 1928 in Meadville, PA a son of the late Carmine and Angela Giardello Varricchio.

He was a 1946 alumnus of Meadville High School.

A decorated war veteran, he served with the US Army during the Korean War and was the recipient of the Korean War Medal and the United Nation Medal.

Albert began his career in the food industry at the former Century Foods in the Hickory Plaza and next managed the former Loblaws Grocery Store in Sharon for nearly twenty years. He then was employed by Golden Dawn, initially in Youngstown, Ohio and later in Farrell. Albert retired as the produce manager from Mr. D's Food Fair, Brookfield, where he was employed for more than twenty years.

He was a member of St. Joseph Church, Sharon. He was a former member of Our Lady of Fatima Church in Farrell where he sang in the choir and belonged to the Holy Name Society. Albert was extremely proud of his service to his country and his Italian heritage and was a member of the Italian American War Veterans and the Italian Home in Farrell. Albert enjoyed music and loved to dance and sing.

He took great pride in his family and treasured the time he shared with them, particularly his grandchildren and great grandchildren who affectionately called him Popo. Albert was funny, always ready to tell a good joke and the life of the party. He was also a man of strong faith and never said a negative word about anyone.

Surviving are: his loving wife of 59 years, the former Mary Buzzeo, whom he married September 29, 1951 in Our Lady of Fatima Church by the late Msgr. Geno Monti; two daughters, Donna Boles and her husband Danny, Hermitage; and Cheryl Sudzina and her husband Dave, Greenville, NC; four grandchildren, Danielle Wilson and her husband Doug, Ellwood City, PA; Duane Boles and his wife Shannon, Pittsburgh; David Albert Sudzina, Charlotte, NC; and Angela Marie Sudzina, Wilmington, NC; three precious great grandchildren, Ryan Wilson and Ryder and Harper Boles; a brother, Emilio Varricchio and his wife Shirley, Wickliffe, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Uda Varricchio, also Wickliffe; and Rita Varricchio, Towson, MD; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Albert was preceded in death by two sisters, Jennie DeLoss and Mary Anderson; two brothers, Luigi and Enrico Varricchio; and two brothers-in-law, Tony DeLoss and Bob Anderson.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday (10-6-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday (10-7-10) in St. Joseph Church, corner of E. State St. and Case Ave., Sharon, with the Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the W. Middlesex VFW and the Wheatland American Legion Honor Guard.