Daniel E. DeBonis, O'Brien Memorial Health Care Center, Masury, formerly of Bond St., Farrell, passed away peacefully of natural causes at 6:46 a.m. on Wednesday (5-27-09) in UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell. He was 87.
He was born April 27, 1922 in Farrell the son of Emil and Stella Esposito DeBonis.
A lifelong area resident he graduated from Farrell High School in 1941.
For more Than 20 years, Dan was employed as a full time artist at the former Sharon Store in downtown Sharon. He was a renowned portrait artist in the Shenango Valley for several decades. He created hundreds of extraordinary portraits of Hollywood celebrities, political figures, sports heroes, but was also known to create portraits of ordinary people here locally. His artwork could be seen on public display at local businesses including the Cookery Restaurant, the former Morgan's K of C Restaurant, and the former Cinema World in the Old Hickory Plaza, all Hermitage.
He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell.
He is survived by his sister, Ann Yacucci, Austintown, Ohio, a brother, Fred J. DeBonis, Sharpsville, two sister in laws, Antoinette DeBonis and Fran DeBonis, both Hermitage, and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, infant Fred J. DeBonis, and Arthur A. DeBonis, and his step father Rocco Pilone.
Calling hours: 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Friday (5-29-09) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Condolences may be sent by visiting the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com
Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday (5-29-09) in Our Lady of Fatima Church, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell with Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor as the celebrant. A brief prayer service will take place in the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. prior to leaving for the Church.
Interment: St. Anthony Cemetery, Hermitage.