Rosario R. 'Rosy' Bianco, 5635 Lamor Rd. Hermitage, passed away at 3:40 a.m. Sunday (7-3-11) in the hospital of the Sharon Regional Health System after an extended illness. He was 78.

Mr. Bianco was born August 4, 1932 in Sharon a son of the late Rosario 'Siro' and Rose Bianco.

He was a 1951 graduate of Sharon High School and attended Youngstown State University.

He then served with the US Army during the Korean War as a ham radio operator while stationed in Puerto Rico.

Along with his brother Ray, he owned and operated Bianco's Barber-Stylists in Sharon for more than four decades. Rosy began cutting hair at the age of 15 in his mother's basement and later worked along side of his brother for 45 years. Together they operated one of the busiest barber shops in the area and had an established clientele that included three generations. He retired a few years ago due to health problems. Rosy was a devout catholic and a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and the Catholic War Veterans, both Sharon. He was also a longtime active member of the Knights of Columbus, Sharon Council 684, and served as a past Grand Knight. Throughout his life, Rosy was involved with many civic, church, and community organizations. He was also active in politics and the Democratic Party. Earlier in his life he served on Wheatland Borough Council and, after moving to Sharon, became a member of the Sharon Planning Commission. Rosy coached little league baseball in the S!

haron National Division; was a past president of the Wengler Elementary School PTO; and was a former member of the wrestling boosters at Sharon High School. He was a staunch Sharon High Tiger fan and chaired his high school class reunion committee for 59 of the past 60 years. Rosy's leisure activities included operating ham radios, gardening, golfing and most recently, acrylic painting. He enjoyed going to 'Camp Siro' in the Allegheny Mountains with his brothers and other family members for the camaraderie, the fishing and the occasional deer hunt. Rosy was a wonderful man who loved people. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are: his wife of 57 years, the former Dolores Holliday, whom he married January 30, 1954 in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, by the lat Msgr. Geno J. Monti; two daughters, Mariangela Hudson and her husband John M. Hudson, Hermitage; and Judith M. Makki and her husband Houssein J. Makki, Orlando, FL; a son, Ross R. Bianco, Pittsburgh; six grandchildren whom he absolutely adored, Tyler, Hallie, Jonathan, Alexandra, Maxx and Julian Hudson; a sister, Frances DiPiero, Hermitage; two brothers, Eugene Bianco and his wife Judy; and Raymond Bianco and his wife Arleen, all Sharon; and brothers - and sisters-in-law, John and Rita Holliday; and Georgianne Holliday, all Hermitage.

Besides his parents, Rosy was preceded in death by his step father, Howard Hoover; and his mother- and father-in-law, George W. and Mollie Holliday.

The family would like to thank the staff and administration of the Sharon Regional Health System, particularly Dr. David D'Amore, Dr. George Garrow and Susan Gibson; the Cancer Care Center, Hermitage; and the staff of Fresenius Medical Services, also Hermitage, for their exceptional care and compassion.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Kidney Foundation.

Calling hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday (7-6-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. The Knights of Columbus will recite the Rosary at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Mass of Christian burial will be 1 p.m. Thursday (7-7-11) in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Sharon, with the Rev. Stanley Swacha, pastor, as celebrant.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage.