Richard Rea, 2027 American Way, Hermitage, PA; formerly of Jackson Rd., Shenango Township, passed away at 8:55 p.m. Saturday (6-26-10) in the emergency room of UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell. He was 87.

Mr. Rea was born July 17, 1922 at the family home on Jackson Rd. a son of the late Earl and Harriett Jackson Rea.

He was a proud descendent of former United States President, Andrew Jackson and Major General Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson, CSA.

Mr. Rea was a 1940 graduate of Aspinwall (PA) High School and, as part of his Navy training, was a graduate of Wright Junior College, Chicago, IL where he studied electronics.

He retired as a Design Draftsman in September of 1982 from the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation where he was employed for 42 years. During his employment at the Westinghouse, he helped design the Telstar Satellite and worked on the top secret torpedo Gyro program during WW II. He served with the US Navy and did his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago. He volunteered for submarine service and was trained at the Submarine School in New London, CT. and later assigned to the submarine tender, the USS Anthedon as an Electronics Mate, 3rd Class. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Rea was a 6th generation farmer on the Jackson family farm, Gloverdale Farm, in Shenango Township. The farm is a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designated century farm. Mr. Rea was an active member of Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex, where he was a parish council president, Eucharistic Minister, lector, choir member !

and a member of the church Holy Name Society and Men's Club. He served on the Shenango Township Planning Commission; was a SWEA (Sharon Westinghouse Employee's Association) Union officer; and a member of the former Kennedy Christian High School Athletic Council and Athletic Booster Club. Mr. Rea was a volunteer at the Prince of Peace Center, Farrell and, earlier in his life, with the Boy Scouts of America, Troop # 60. He was also a member of the Benevolent Protected Order of the Elks, Lodge 103, Sharon; the VFW, James Stoner Post, West Middlesex; and Serra International.

Surviving are: his wife of 61 years and his high school sweetheart, the former Isabelle McLaughlin, whom he married November 13, 1948 in St. Scholastica Church, Aspinwall; a daughter, Mary Lou Hensley and her husband Russell, Shenango Township; four sons, Rick Rea and his wife Dr. Melissa Rea, St. Louis, MO; Bob Rea and his wife Lori Rea, Hermitage; John Rea and his wife Kathi Rea, Fairview, PA; and Ron Rea and his wife Anne Rea, Hagerstown, MD; 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Besides his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Rea.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Senior Center at the Salvation Army, 660 Fisher Hill St., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hour will be from 10-11 a.m. today (6-29-10) in the Gathering Space at Church of the Good Shepherd, Sharon-New Castle Rd., West Middlesex, PA.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. today (06-29-10) in the church.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage, PA.