Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday for Philip Anthony Formichella, Hermitage, who passed away peacefully of natural causes at 7:44 a.m. on Tuesday (11-22-11) in Nugent Convalescent Home, Hermitage. He was 85.

Mr. Formichella was born July 14, 1926 in Rochester, Pa., the son of Antonio and Maria Patierno Formichella.

He graduated from Farrell High School in 1944.

A decorated war veteran, he served with the US Army in central Europe from October of 1944, until his honorable discharge in July of 1946. He earned the rank of Technician Fifth Grade and served with Company F, in the 411th Infantry, in the 103 division. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and ultimately the WWII Victory Ribbon.

He returned home from war and in 1948 he took ownership of Phil's Plaza Texaco which he owned and operated until 1982. He later worked for three Hermitage business's including Kraynak Nursery and Garden Center, Hermitage Petroleum, and Tim's Auto Service & Repair.

Mr. Formichella and his wife the former Dorothy L. Zagger whom he married on November 28, 1950, are charter members of Church of the Notre Dame, Hermitage. A fireman, Phil was a Life member and past president of the Hermitage Volunteer Fire Department, and he was an associate member of the Fraternal Order of Police #82, Hermitage.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he was a family man who loved his garden. He enjoyed sharing his yearly harvest and would also sell his prized vegetables at the Farmers market in Farrell on Tuesday's and Friday's.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his three sons, Philip F. Formichella and his wife Olga (Petrova), Laurel MD; Mark Formichella and his wife Susan (Heasley), Hermitage; Paul Formichella and his wife Mary Ann (Sutilla), Pittsburgh, Pa; three daughters, Diane Sterling, Hermitage; Ruth Davis and her husband Brian, Sharpsville; and Amy Mead and her husband Ted, Kernersville, NC; a brother, Mario Formichella, Sharon, Pa; 14 Grandchildren, Bradley Sterling, Michelle Sterling, Brian Sterling, Matthew Formichella, Stephen Formichella, John Coyne, Daniel Coyne, Rachel Davis, Aaron Mead, Corey Mead, Cara Mead, Katherine Formichella, Nicholas Formichella, Joseph Formichella, great grandchildren Kayla Sterling, Tyler Coyne, Marissa Sterling, and Jacob Sterling, step grandchildren, Sara Youtichene- Geraci, Anasthasia Subbotina, and his step great grandchildren, Nicholas Hanahan, Jania Tilery, and Alessio and Ugo Geraci.

Besides his parents, Philip was preceded in death by his two brothers, Casimir A. and Andrew J. Formichella.

His family suggest that those choosing to make memorial contributions in his memory to please consider the Church of the Notre Dame 2325 Highland Road, Hermitage, Pa 16148 .

Calling hours: 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday (11-25-11) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon.

To view his obituary or to post a tribute, visit the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (11-26-11) in Church of the Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Rev. Jeffery J. Noble, pastor as the celebrant. A procession will leave at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday for the church.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage. With full military honors provided by the Hickory V.F.W. Post 6166 Honor Guard, and representatives from the Pendel-Caminiti U S Army Reserve Center, Farrell.