Thomas A. 'Taters' Laverty, 338 Lunn Blvd., Farrell, PA passed away at 11:30 p.m. Sunday (2-28-10) in UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell, following an extended illness. He was 82.

Mr. Laverty was born March 11, 1927 in Sharon, a son of the late Adam and Harriet Hoyland Laverty.

A lifelong area resident, he was a 1945 graduate of Sharon High School and also trained as a machinist apprentice at the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation as part of his studies.

Following high school, Tom served as a Corporal with the US Army Air Corps during WW II in the European Theater of Operations and was the recipient of the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Honorably discharged on December 11, 1946, he returned to Sharon and worked as a machinist for 41 years at the Westinghouse, retiring in 1984.

During his retirement, he delivered The Herald to the residents of Hermitage Hills Apartments, and later Whispering Oaks, for more than ten years. Tom was a devout catholic and an active member of the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, where he volunteered with the funeral catering group. He was extremely devoted to his family and church and will be remembered by many for his quick wit and great sense of humor. 'Taters', as he was known by many, was a champion marble shooter in his youth and later became one of the founding members of the weightlifting team at the F.H. Buhl Club in Sharon, now known as The Buhl Community Recreation Center. He kept active during his adult life by swimming and lifting weights at the Buhl Club where he was a familiar face for many years. Taters had many interests, including watching the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), playing the accordion and having a good euchre hand. The time he shared with his family is what he cherished the most. He loved !

camping, traveling and going on vacation. Many enjoyable trips were taken to Florida, the beaches and 'out west'.

Surviving are: his wife at home, the former Margaret 'Marge' Merat, whom he married August 10, 1950 in St. Bartholomew Church, Sharpsville, by the late Rev. Thomas F. McGovern; three daughters, Patricia 'Patti' Matijevich and her husband Milan, West Middlesex; Mary Kay White, Cochranton; and Lynda Waliga, Hermitage; two sons, Michael Laverty and his wife Marianne, Brookfield; and Timothy Laverty and his wife Katrina, Highlands, North Carolina; twelve grandchildren, Milan, Kristina and Dawnelle Matijevich; Joseph, Michael and Justin Laverty; Adam and Kevin White; Alyssa and Anna Waliga; and Kelsey and Seth Schmitt; ten great grandchildren, Jonni Lynn, Tessa, Vanessa, Chase, Taylor, Tyler, Brooklyn, Alyvia, Jenna, Dillon and Reese; four brothers, Robert Laverty and his wife Anna Mae, Ocala, FL; Archie Laverty and his wife Phyllis, Sharon; Richard Laverty and his wife Bonnie, Hermitage; and Delbert Laverty, Sharon; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Tom was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Theresa Laverty; three sisters, Phyllis Barnes, Frances Kekich and Mary Laverty who died in infancy; and a brother, George Laverty.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Buhl Community Recreation Center, 28 N. Pine St., Sharon, PA 16146.

Calling hours will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday (3-4-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting our web site at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Closing prayers will be held at 10:20 a.m. Friday (3-5-10) in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Friday (3-5-10) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Msgr. Edward J. Zeitler, senior associate, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the Farrell Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5286, Honor Guard.