A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday for Christopher "Chris" J. Gavin of 919 Linden St., Sharon. He passed away peacefully under hospice care at 1:35 a.m. Thursday (10-1-15) in his residence after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 63. Mr. Gavin was born Nov. 18, 1951, in Camden, N.J., a son of Dr. John J. Gavin and M. Shirley Fieger Gavin. His family moved to Hamden, Conn., where he graduated from Hamden High School. After high school, he served six years in the Navy. He earned his bachelor of science degree in biology from Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa. He then worked toward his master's degree in biology from Slippery Rock University and earned his master's in business administration from Youngstown State University. He was employed by Wheatland Tube Co. for 37 years. Chris was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, where he served in various capacities including the liturgy committee and the Holy Name Society, at bingo and as a former Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher. He also volunteered at Prince of Peace Center, Farrell. He was active in the community, sitting on the board of education for Sharon City School District from 2004 to 2013. He regularly attended Sharon City Council meetings and served on the recreation board for the City of Sharon. His love of sports led him to coach baseball and softball through many years. He was a past president of Sharon American Little League, and also was an umpire for both Little League and the Senior Division. He was an avid New York Mets and Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Chris also enjoyed golfing, fishing, doing crossword puzzles, reading and spending time at his camp in Tionesta. His wife, the former Mary Lee Biggins, whom he married Aug. 12, 1972, survives at home. He also is survived by his four daughters, Molly K. Matchak and her husband Marc, Hermitage; Allison B. Brinkley and her husband Ben, Rock Hill, S.C.; Courtney A. Donatelli and her husband Raymond, Sharon; and Kelsey E. Gavin, Sharon; and two sons, Timothy D. Gavin, Sharon; and Jeffrey T. Gavin, Hermitage. "Pops" will be sadly missed by his eight grandchildren, Hayden, Claire and Harper Matchak; Vinny and Vito Donatelli; David Brinkley; and Timia and Santino Gavin, all of whom he adored and loved spending time with. He also leaves his sisters, Mary Beth Barnby, Cocoa Beach, Fla.; Judy Jones and her husband Mike, Janesville, Wis.; and Peggy Condon and her husband Tom, Wappinger's Falls, N.Y.; his brothers, Dr. Terrance Gavin and his wife Karen, New Paltz, N.Y.; John Gavin and his wife Jan; and Timothy Gavin and his wife Kate, all Elkhart, Ind.; and Paul Gavin and his wife Leanna, Lake Liberty, Wash. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Michael Gavin. His family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in his memory to please consider Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave., Farrell, PA 16121. Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday (10-4-15) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME Inc., 1090 E. State St. Sharon. Services: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Monday (10-5-15) in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Thomas Whitman, pastor, as celebrant. Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage.