A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday for Thomas J. Nevant, American Way, Hermitage, formerly of Farrell. He passed away at 2:20 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 85.

Mr. Nevant was born July 27, 1924, in the former Buhl Hospital, Sharon, to James and Mary Corso Nevant.

He was a 1942 graduate of Farrell High School. After graduation, he attended one semester at Westminster College, New Wilmington, before entering the U.S. Navy for service in World War II, of which he was very proud. He served aboard the U.S.S. LST 500 (Landing Ship Tanks) as a Quartermaster First Class (Assistant to the Navigation Officer). On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he was in the first wave at Utah Beachhead, Cherbourg, France. In the aftermath of D-Day, he completed 25 round trips across the English Channel shuttling reinforcement Allied troops and equipment from England to Normandy and returning with wounded troops and German POWs. Later, the LST 500 traveled inland to Rouen by way of the Seine River and to Hamburg, Germany, by way of the Elbe River Locks in pursuit of Allied victory. After V-E Day (Victory in Europe), the LST 500 was honored as one of three flagships to escort the King of Norway from exile in Britain back to the seat of government in Oslo, Norway, where th!

e king was greeted by his jubilant countrymen. Mr. Nevant was awarded the 'Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty' with full colors for his meritorious service on Nov. 11, 1998, in Mercer County Courthouse by former Congressman Phil English. After his honorable discharge, Mr. Nevant returned to Westminster College, graduating in 1949 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, followed by a year of graduate study at Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. He later returned to Westminster for both a master's degree in education and a principal's certification.

On July 26, 1951, he married the former Serena Tizio at the former St. Anthony de Padua Church, Farrell. The next day was his birthday and he considered his marriage the best gift he ever received.

In 1967, Mr. Nevant was hired as a high school chemistry teacher at Farrell High School. From 1974 until his retirement in 1989, he served in various administrative capacities at Farrell, the last seven years as high school principal. He maintained membership in both the National and State associations of High School Principals. Prior to 1967, he was a partner at the former Nevant Brothers Appliance and Hardware Store in Farrell.

Tom was a member of the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce and served several years as president of the Idaho Street Business Men's Association. He was a former member of the Farrell Booster's Club; American Legion Post 160, Farrell; and Veterans of Foreign Wars and was expresident and a charter member of the Farrell Wolves Club, and Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 103, Sharon. For many years, Tom sponsored a child, Margarita Tejada of the Philippines, through the Christian Children's Fund.

Surviving are: his wife of 59 years, Serena; four sons, Attorney James Nevant and his wife Deborah, Farrell; Theodore Nevant and his wife Lisa, Hermitage; Dr. Christopher Nevant and his wife Christine, Asheville, N.C.; and Thomas Nevant Jr. and his wife Jodi, Plano, Texas; and eight grandchildren, Gabrielle, Carmen, James, John, Suzanne, Thomas III, Rachel and Jake; and a sister, Vincentina Lechien, Gibsonia, Pa.

He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Cleo DeCapua; and a son, Michael, 2 years old, on June 27, 1960, the worst day of his life. The Nevant family would like to thank the Hospice and Palliative Care of Sharon Regional Health System for their professionalism and care, particularly nurses: Cara Murray, Jennifer Wallace, Mary Lue Doyle, Lillian Moyer, Linda Porter, and Linda Redmond, and social worker Erin Zahniser.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Stey-Nevant Public Library, 1000 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, PA 16121. NEVANT Thomas J., 85, American Way, Hermitage, formerly of Farrell.

Calling hours: In keeping with his wishes, there will be no calling hours.

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

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday (7-24-10) in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell.

Interment: Private in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage, with full military honors provided by the Honor Guard from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, Farrell, and Post 6233, West Middlesex, and American Legion Post 432, Wheatland. Arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon..