Alfred E. "Al" DeBonis, Hermitage, passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:15 p.m. Thursday (1-7-16) in his residence. He was 87.

Alfred was born in Farrell on Nov. 9, 1928, one of three sons born to Jessie Danessa DeBonis.

He graduated from Farrell High School and matriculated to Thiel College in Greenville, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in economics and belonged to the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

He reached the rank of sergeant in the Army and served in Korea. Mr. DeBonis worked as a manufacturer sales representative and assembled an extremely successful sales organization during his career. He was a member and past president of the Hobbies Association of America. In 2006 he was instrumental in the efforts to purchase a 1915 Twombly automobile for the Mercer County Historical Society. He headed the fundraising campaign that returned the vintage Twombly to Mercer County, where Twombly cars were manufactured.

Al was an active member, lector, and Eucharistic minister at St. Joseph's Church, Sharon. He was active with Serra, a Catholic organization whose mission is to foster and promote vocations to the Catholic priesthood and religious life. He kept active throughout his life and enjoyed boating and skiing, and golfing at what was then Sharon Country Club, where he was a member for 50 years. Most of all, he loved and was proud of his grandchildren.

His wife, the former Madeline Weismiller, survives at the residence. He and Madeline, the love of his life, were married in 1958 in St. Joseph's Church, Pittsburgh. They recently celebrated their 57th anniversary.

Also surviving are his two children, Cathy M. DeBonis, Atlanta; and Bruce D. DeBonis and his wife Elizabeth, Philadelphia; his grandchildren, Briton (Hanieh) Rotell, Christina (Rob) Lysee and Breanna (Tripp) Caldwell, all Atlanta; Jamie Rotell, New York City; and Taylor and Jordan Rotell, and Chandler Dugan, all Atlanta; his great-grandchildren, Landon and Lily Rotell, and Hayden Lysee. He also is survived by his niece, Susan Combine and her husband Jim and their family.

In addition to his mother, Jessie DeBonis, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Perry R. and Robert E. DeBonis.

His family suggests anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in his memory to consider donating to Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave., Farrell, PA 16121; or Joshua's Haven City Mission, 1230 Stambaugh Ave., P.O. Box 128, Sharon, PA 16146. DeBONIS Albert E., 87, of Hermitage.

Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday (1-11-16) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Condolences can be offered to his family by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeand- Crematory.com

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday (1-12-16) in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Thomas Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.