A family celebration of life service will be held at a later date for Alex Anthony Alter of New Wilmington. He passed away peacefully at 5:40 p.m. Tuesday (9-30-14) in his residence of natural causes. He was 87. Mr. Alter was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Farrell, a son of Patsy and Jessie Tatseao Alter. A lifelong area resident, he was raised in Farrell and graduated from Farrell High School. Mr. Alter enlisted in the Merchant Marines, where he studied to become an engineer and served for 13 years. He later worked for the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant and was in charge of the pollution control department as an engineer. He retired in 1992. Alex was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex. He loved tending to his garden and cooking for his family. His wife, the former Frances J. Rossi, whom he married Aug. 22, 1953, passed away Oct. 11, 1983. He is survived by: his three daughters, Diane "Abby" Alter and her husband James Willaman, Volant; Denise Alter and her fiancé John Bunnell, New Wilmington; and Darlene Alter Kossack, Mount Jewett, Pa.; a son, David Alter, Tempe, Ariz.; two sisters, Carmella Rupert, Hermitage; and Mary Pope and her husband Cecil, Phoenix; his brother, Christy "Chris" Alter, Hermitage; three grandchildren, Zachary "Zac" and Natalie Kossack, and Angelina Killmer; and his great-granddaughter, Sophia. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James Alter. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests that anyone wishing to make a contribution in his memory to please consider the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Calling hours and service: In keeping with his wishes, there are no services scheduled at this time. His family is planning to gather at a later date to celebrate his life. Interment: Cremains interred in St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage. Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.