Robert "Bob" Allen Sakonyi of Hermitage passed away suddenly at 6:30 a.m. Monday, February 6, 2017, in his home. He was 72.

Mr. Sakonyi was born April 20, 1944, in Grove City, a son of Frank J. and Nellie Lisac Sakonyi. Bob was a 1962 graduate of Farrell High School. He attended Edinboro University to further his education until his brother was drafted into the US Navy. At that time he enlisted in the US Navy and attended basic training with his brother in San Diego, CA. Bob was an aviation fire control technician, serving aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. He served his country proudly during the Vietnam War from 1963 to 1967.

He was employed by Wheatland Tube for 38 years, retiring in 2004 as a lab technician.

Bob was an active member of the Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex. He was on the church council, sang in the choir and the dinner theatre. In 2016, he returned to the Catholic faith, in which he was raised and joined Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell.

Bob was part of West Middlesex Merchants Bowling League at Thorton Lanes and looked forward to golfing at a different course each week with friends.

Bob meticulously cared for his lawn and enjoyed crossword puzzles, making people laugh, playing piano, making his own melodies, traveling, going to his time share in Cancun and time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Surviving are: his wife, the former Christine Smegal Mason, whom he married on July 24, 1999; four daughters, Joy Sakonyi Sturgill and her husband Matt, Pittsburgh; Rachel Bertolasio and her husband Frank D., Hermitage; Robin Sakonyi White, Sharon; and Christy Errett and her husband Daniel, Elizabethtown, PA; two step sons, James Mason and his wife Shelly, Hermitage; and Joseph Mason and his wife Beth, Sharpsville; a son-in-law, Dave Burkey, Hermitage; two sisters, Francine Sigworth and her husband Scott, Clark; and Cynthia Roman and her husband Emil, Tionesta, PA; a brother, Ronald Sakonyi, Hermitage; a sister-in-law, Gloria Sakonyi, Sharpsville; and fifteen grandchildren whom he adored as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Nancy Minner Sakonyi; a brother, Frank J. Sakonyi; a step daughter, Deann Mason Burkey; and a sister-in-law, Sandy Kuzniar Sakonyi.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to either Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex, 3082 E. Main St., West Middlesex, PA 16159; or Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, 601 Roemer Blvd, Farrell, PA 16121.

Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2017, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2017, in Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell, with Rev. Thomas Whitman, as celebrant.

Interment: Haywood Cemetery, West Middlesex, with military honors.