Robert "Bob" R. Garver of S. Pymatuning Township passed away peacefully of natural causes on Saturday, September 17, 2016, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 91.

Mr. Garver was born September 23, 1924, in Punxsutawney, PA, a son of Richard and Bertha (Grube) Garver.

He moved to the area in 1927 and was a 1942 graduate of Sharpsville High School. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was stationed in Japan and later in Kentucky.

After returning home, Bob worked briefly for Sharon Steel's former Farrell plant before he was hired as a coil winder at the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corp, from which he retired in 1982 at the age of 58.

In his post retirement years he worked at Oaktree Country Club in the maintenance department.

Bob was an active member of St. Stanislaus Kostka-Holy Trinity Church, Sharon, where he served on parish council. He was also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge 103, Sharon; the S. Pymatuning Township Volunteer Fire Department; the Sharpsville Centennial Celebration Committee; and the Western Reserve Fish and Game Association where he was a past president.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 66 years, the former Rosalie Vaccaro, whom he married September 23, 1950, in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon; three daughters; Kathleen Mastrian and her husband John "Chip," S. Pymatuning Township and their two children Benjamin and Alicia; Carol Snyder and her husband Jeffrey, Lisbon, Ohio and their two sons, Ryan and Kyle; and Susan Riffe and her husband Alan, Kinsman, Ohio and their two children, Stephanie Kilpatrick and her husband Charles; and Michael Riffe. He is also survived by a sister, Ann McMullen., Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters-in-law, Betty Garver, Mercer; and Cathie Garver, Denver, CO; and several nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; and five siblings, Art Garver, Jane Parsons, Dot Thomas, Jo Langdon, and Sam Garver.

In his spare time, Bob had many interests and hobbies. He loved hunting, fishing, archery, as well as roller skating, boating, water skiing, and dancing.

He also loved to watch sports and could be seen sitting in front of his television every Sunday to cheer on his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

Although Bob had many interest and hobbies, his greatest joy was spending time with and loving his family.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made in Bob's memory to a charity of the donor's choice.


Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today, September 20, 2016, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2016, in Saint Stanislaus Kostka-Holy Trinity Church, 370 Spruce Ave., Sharon.

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the West Middlesex VFW, Wheatland American Legion and Farrell VFW Honor Guard