Gerald A. Barca, 834 Ridge Ave., Sharpsville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday (1-13-09) at 1:15 a.m. at his residence, following an extended illness. He was 79.
He was born on February 8, 1929 in Sharpsville, Pa. the son of Harry and Mary Rosati Barca. A lifelong Sharpsville resident, he was a member of the Sharpsville High School graduating class of 1947 and a proud member of the undefeated 1946 Sharpsville Blue Devils football team. He had lifelong friendships with many of his classmates, with whom he stayed in touch.
A 1948 enlistee in the U. S. Navy, he served as a fire-control specialist aboard the U.S.S. Rochester in active combat duty during the Korean Conflict. He received the Korean Service Medal (three stars) and U.N. Service Ribbon. He was very proud of his service in the U.S. Navy and was lifelong friends with many of his shipmates, as well.
After his tour of duty, he returned to Sharpsville in 1952, where he would work at the family-owned Sharpsville Bowling Center. He also worked at the former Sharon Transformer Division of Westinghouse Electric Corp as a welder and foreman for more than 40 years.
He married Mary Helen (Sis) Keough on June 5, 1954, at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church, Sharpsville. She would precede him in death on May 18, 1999. He was currently a member of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage.
In addition to owning and operating the Sharpsville Bowling Center (run by the Barca family for over 52 years), he was also an avid bowler and ran a highly-respected Pro Shop. His advice was also highly respected and he was always willing to give advice to bowlers wishing to improve. He was also very generous with his time and would lend a hand to fellow bowling proprietors whenever they needed anything. He loved the game and, most of all, the people and spent many hours with both; over those many years, he touched many lives.
He joined the Professional Bowler's Assoc. in 1974, but was forced to relinquish membership in 1977 due to knee surgery. His membership was reinstated in 1987 in the senior's Division, and he would be an active bowler for several more years.
On Mar 3, 1990, he was inducted into the Mercer County Bowling Hall of Fame, following his father, Harry Barca. His son, Terrence A. Barca, who also preceded him in death, would later be inducted (posthumously) in 1998.
Gerry enjoyed golfing, hunting and, later on, stained-glass work. But one of his favorite pastimes was fishing, and he looked forward yearly to his fishing expeditions with friends and family, who travelled as far away as Kentucky and Canada, for week-long fishing outings.
He was a member of the Sharpsville American Legion Post 162, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6404.
He leaves his daughter, Maryann Baker, and her husband, Douglas, Sharpsville; a son, Gerald M., Los Angeles, CA; two grandchildren, Susan Baker and her fiancé Daniel Bobbie, Sharpsville; Scott Baker and his wife Christina, Hermitage; two great grandchildren, Riley Baker and Myah Bobbie; also several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and son, he was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Rosalie Zink, all of Sharpsville.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society.
Calling hours: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday (1-18-09) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St.
Funeral and committal services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday (1-19-09) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Rev. Jeffery J. Noble, pastor as celebrant. Full military honors will be rendered in the funeral home at 4:00 p.m. by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233, West Middlesex, and the American Legion post 432, Wheatland.
Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.