Eugene 'Gene' E. Derr of 500 Fairbrooke Way, Sharpsville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at 5:59 p.m. Friday (6-19-10) in UPMC Presbyterian, Pittsburgh, after a brief illness. He was 82.

Mr. Derr was born Nov. 22, 1927, in Sharon, a son of Edwin and Arada Ellis Derr.

As a member of Sharon High School's graduating Class of 1947, he was instrumental in planning and organizing its class reunions throughout the past 63 years.

Gene worked as manager of the former Briggs-Jones Paint Store in Hermitage for 22 years, and eventually retired from the former Sawhill pipe mill in Wheatland, where he worked in the plant's security department. He was currently employed during the summer months at Buhl Land Golf Course, Hermitage.

A daily communicant, he was a longtime active member of St. Joseph's Church in Sharon, where he had served as a Eucharistic minister for the past 20 years and volunteered in past years for the church's food pantry. He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Gene and his wife spent many winters in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., where he belonged to Our Lady Star of the Sea, where he also served as a Eucharistic minister. While living in New Smyrna, he was affectionately known to his friends as the 'Mayor of Shorehom by the Sea'.

Gene was consistently dedicated to the betterment of his children's scholastic endeavors and served on St. Joseph School's Parent Teachers Association, where he held every office including president. He later was elected to the Sharpsville School Board of Education, where he served as both past president and treasurer during his 12-year tenure and also served as a member of the Intermediate Unit school board. Always the volunteer, Gene was proud to have been appointed to the board of directors at the Prince of Peace Center, Farrell. He also served as past president to both the Sharpsville Boosters Club and Sharpsville Service Club. Other organizations to have benefited from Gene's volunteerism are the Farrell campus of UPMC Horizon, United Way of Mercer County, the Intermediate Unit IV Board of Education, the Rotary Club, the Elks Club, Sharpsville Concerns for Senior Citizens and Sharpsville Area School District, where he was a representative for its anti-drug program. He a!

lso served as a recruiter for Central Blood Bank.

Gene was a member of the Hickory Businessmen's Association and was its first president; he enjoyed officiating for the P.I.A.A. for 25 years as a basketball referee. Throughout the years, one of his favorite things to do was donning a costume and serving as one of Santa's helpers for children at Christmastime at various local events including Sharpsville Service Club's Santa program.

In 2005, Gene was honored by the Buhl Day Committee as a Buhl Day honoree for the annual Buhl Day celebration.

A diehard Notre Dame fan, he loved to root for his Fighting Irish.

Gene served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was stationed in Germany.

His wife of more than 60 years, the former Gerrie E. DeCapua, whom he married on June 23, 1949, survives at home.

He also leaves his three daughters, Julie A. Smith, Sharon; Joni A. Murray and her husband Michael, Sharpsville; and Jill A. Fox and her husband David, Hermitage; and his two sons, John C. Derr and his wife Susan, Lancaster, Pa.; and Jerry E. Derr, Fort Lauderdale Fla.He is also survived by his nine grandchildren, Jena Smith, and Robbie Smith and his wife Donna, Megan and her husband Jim Glus, Molly and her husband Jason Kapusta, Hannah Fox, Jonathan Greaser; Thomas, Olivia and Eli Derr; a great-grandson, Grady Kapusta; and Gene's twin sister, Jean Marie Dugan and her husband Sonny, Erie.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his brother Carlton Derr; and an infant sister, Leona Mae Derr.

The family suggests for those desiring, memorial contributions be made in Gene's memory to Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave., Farrell, PA 16121; St. Joseph's School, 760 E. State St., Sharon, PA 16146; or the First Tee Program through the Buhl Park's website at www.buhlfarmpark.com.

Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Monday (6-21-10) and 9:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday (6-22-10) in J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may send condolences by to the family visiting our web site at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Glenn R. Whitman, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Sharon, as celebrant.