Robert J. 'Bob' Alex, Erie, Pennsylvania, formerly of Hermitage, passed away peacefully Thursday (10-14-10) at 1:25 a.m. in Hamot Medical Center with his daughters at his side. He was 63.

He was born on January 2, 1947 in Erie, Pennsylvania the son of Paul and Anna Mae Janis Alex.

He graduated from St. Patrick's Grade School, and Cathedral Preparatory High School, both Erie, and was an all-star football, baseball, and basketball player for the Prep Ramblers. In 1963 he was named to the All City football team. He matriculated to Gannon University where he earned his Bachelor's degree and belonged to the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. Later, he studied at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in New Jersey where he earned his Masters Degree.

Bob, as he was known by his close family and friends, enjoyed a career in banking that began with the United States Treasury Department in Pittsburgh. He later worked at the former McDowell Bank, Sharon, and retired from First National Bank where he was Vice President of Loan Review.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Erie, and former member of Church of the Notre Dame, Hermitage. He was a Board Member and Director of Youngstown Association of Credit Management; the past Director and President of Shenango Valley Junior Achievement; and member of the Sharon University Club, Yankee Lake, Ohio, Fraternal Order of Police; Elks of Sharon; and Falcons of Erie. Bob enjoyed coaching both midget football and tee ball for Hermitage in past years. He also enjoyed boating, fishing, cooking, gardening, and rooting for his Pittsburgh Steelers.

A veteran, he served with the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged. He was a loving father and grandfather who loved his kids dearly.

His beloved wife, the former Cheryl J. Erickson whom he married on April 12, 1969, passed away on May 16, 1992.

He is survived by his three daughters, Marianne C. Kovac and her husband Donald Jr., Hermitage, Stacey L. Hagens and her husband Scott, Pulaski, and Robin A. Fossen and her husband Jacob, Mesa, AZ; his grandchildren, Chloe and Noah Kovac, Brandon and Kyle Hagens, and Madelyn and Ava Fossen, and his brother, William Alex, Erie.

In addition to his wife Cheryl, he was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Children's Hospital, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224.

Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday (10-17-10) 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 10:30 a.m. on Monday (10-18-10) in the Church of Notre Dame 2325 Highland Rd. Hermitage, with Msgr. Edward J. Zeitler, senior associate pastor as celebrant.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.