Albert Zippay, 779 Maple Drive, Hermitage, passed away peacefully on Sunday (12-26-10) in Amherst, Massachusetts following a long illness. He was 89.

Albert was born September 7, 1921 in Hazelton, PA, the son of Andrew and Elizabeth Zippay.

A lifelong area resident, he graduated from Farrell High School Class of 1939 and attended the Franklin Medical School of Technology in Philadelphia.

He was a staff sergeant in World War II, serving in one of the first portable surgical hospitals, in the Philippines and New Guinea. He was awarded three Bronze stars.

For over thirty years he was the General Manager of radio station WFAR in Farrell. There he was host and creator of numerous shows, including Soft Lights and Silver Shadows, Auction Man, and Swap Shop. He was committed to programming that served the local community, as reflected in programs such as the Italian Hour, the Sara Hailstock Gospel Hour, the Polka Party, and broadcasts of Farrell High School sports. He later was manager of radio station WKTX in Mercer.

He was active in the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations, including the Optimist Club. He was a longtime volunteer with Meals on Wheels.

He was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hermitage, where for many years he led an adult discussion group.

He was known for his green thumb, growing plants from seed and spending hours with his vegetables and flowers. He was a voracious reader and a volunteer literacy tutor at the Buhl Public Library. He was active in the Valley Arts Guild, and devoted much time after retirement to painting in watercolors.

He was married for 48 years to the former Marjorie Madura, whom he married in 1952. She preceded him in death in 2000.

He has three daughters, Allison Zippay and her husband Jim Kelly of Milton, MA; Marla Zippay of Northampton, MA; Lori Zippay and her husband Simon Kilmurry of New York City. He has two grandchildren, Matthew and Ian Kelly of Milton, MA.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Zippay, who died in 1995.

Memorial contributions can be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 3325 Morefield Rd., Hermitage, PA, 16148; Meals on Wheels, 396 Buhl Blvd, Sharon, PA, 16146; or Hospice of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton, MA, 01060.

Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday (12-30-10) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.

Condolences may be sent to her family by visiting the web site www.mcgoniglefuneralhomeandcrematory.com

Services: A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday (12-31-10) in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Hermitage, with Rev. Donald D. Hake, pastor of the church officiating.

Interment: Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Hermitage.