Harry S. "Whitey" Criss
Harry S. "Whitey" Criss
Obituary
Guest Book
Harry Criss Obituary
On Monday, August 24, 2009, Harry S. "Whitey", 71, of Finleyville, PA. Beloved husband of Donna C. (Verno) Criss; Father of Scott (Amy) Criss & Mark Criss of Monongahela, Greg Criss & Dean (Lisa) Criss of South Park; Grandfather of Katie (Matt) Betler, John, Jessica, Josh, Dave, Sarah, Chelsey & Nico Criss; great-grand father of Ty & Tatum Betler & Joey Criss; brother of James (Janice) Criss of FL, Jack (Irene) Criss of TX, Sarah (Gene) Overby of VA, Mary Ann Criss of MI & the late Robert & Shirley Criss; also survived by several nieces, nephews & cousins. Whitey was a retired wood shop school teacher and golf coach for South Park High School. Friends received Tuesday 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the GRIFFITH MORTUARY, INC., 5636 Brownsville Rd., Broughton- Curry-South Park Twp. Funeral Prayer Thursday at 9:15 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis of Assisi Church at 10 a.m. www.griffithmortuary.net
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Todd Kelly
October 9, 2009
My thoughts and prayers to the Criss family. I am lucky to have been educated by both Harry at South Park and his brother Jim at Upper St Clair, complete gentlemen, incredible teachers and wonderful people. Heaven gained a great spirit in Whitey, I'm sure he has a deck of cards and a game of spades somewhere with the angels
Terry Spencer
September 19, 2009
To the Criss Family:
Mr. Criss touched many lives as an educator an a friend. He had a sense of humor like no one I've ever met. I can still chuckle all these years later. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Criss Family.
God Bless and keep you in his care
Terry Spencer
Class of '84
Rick Smith
September 1, 2009
I am very sad to hear that Whitey has past. I am very very sorry for your loss.
Like many, I have many fun and fond memories with Whitey. One of my proudest moments, while I was in the Navy, was giving Whitey a tour of the USS Nimitz. It meant an awful lot to me.
He always made me laugh. He taught me much also. I am a better person (Dad) today because of the time I spent with him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love
Rick Smith
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Paul J. Gitnik
August 28, 2009
Dear Donna and Family:
May his soul rest in peace and may teh perpetual light shine upon him. As you know, "Whitey" touched our family in many ways.
With deepest sympathy,
August 27, 2009
August 27, 2009
August 27, 2009
Pappy
August 27, 2009
Michael Simpson
August 27, 2009
Mr. Criss was the best. I have so many stories about him and my time in South Park High School. If you need a laugh, and at these times I know it helps, e mail me and I can relate some of them. He made me laugh just about every day and was always there to help with advice as well. He is what a teacher is supposed to be.....someone who not only teaches you about education but about life as well. Im a better person for having come into contact with Mr. Criss. I think we all are. And that is the true test of a human being.
Dina Capela
August 27, 2009
Whitey ,you were the best uncle .You always knew how to make me laugh ,and happy .You always knew the right things to say !I know everyone loved you ,and still does !Your funeral was beautiful but too sad :/ We all are gonna miss him ,whether they were family or friends .We love you Whitey </3
Chris Phelps
August 27, 2009
I had the priveledge of being Mr. Criss' home care physical therapist this summer. Though I only knew him for a short period of time, he touched my heart as he did the hearts of many. His family is in my thoughts and prayers. It was an honor to have known him.
August 27, 2009
Harry was the best! I learned so much from him on and off of the golf course. What a great coach and more importantly a great person. Too many memories to list them all. I loved him and will miss him.
Kort Isenberg
South Park 84'
Debbie Sippel Tobias
August 26, 2009
You have my deepest sympathy. Girls weren't supposed to take wood shop when I was in school(class of 78), so Mr. Criss took his free time and taught a class of us girls all about the equipment. He was an awesome man!
Michele Reis-Toth
August 26, 2009
Criss Family,
I am also one of those "Snowden Kids" that Mr. Criss liked to talk about. I had him as a shop teacher and he taught me a lot. He went that extra mile that so few teachers would do! He will be greatly missed!
Michele Reis Toth
South Park Class of 1980
Diane & George pelesky
August 25, 2009
Criss Family,
So many fond memories of a great teacher and a special person. He loved to tell stories about the "snowden kids".When we built our house in 1980, he visited and gave us an A+ for a job well done. He will be missed!
Love to all,
Diane(Legeza)Pelesky '74
and George Pelesky '73
GINA PICCOLO
August 25, 2009
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
louis mangino
August 25, 2009
our thoughts and prayers are with you. whitey was great person,it was a honor having him as a coach at finley,and i always felt like family when i was at the house,we have lost a great man!!
louis mangino
August 25, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.When i was in whitey and donnas home i always was treated like family.Having whitey as a coach at finley was a honor,he taught you more than just football!!!He spoke and taught life!!God Bless. lou deb gianni mangino
August 25, 2009
Criss family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Criss was a wonderful person and teacher. He will surely be missed.
Karen Stanek Lang
DEBBIE ROSS
August 25, 2009
MARK & FAMILY,
YOU ALL HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN THIS TIME OF SADNESS. LET ALL YOUR MEMORIES HELP YOU IN YOUR TIME OF NEED. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
Vikki Francis Mirenna
August 25, 2009
My sincere condolences of Mr. Chriss passing. we had alot of fun in his class.He will be missed and always remembered.Our prayers are with the family.God Bless!
Vikki '90
Kathy (Hester) Heslop, Class of '78
August 25, 2009
To the Criss Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Mr. Criss was an outstanding teacher and individual. I can't imagine how difficult it is for you now. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Juilette Piccolo
August 25, 2009
To the Criss family,
On behalf of the entire Piccolo family and Farrelli family, SPHS Classes of 76 thru 88, our thoughts and prayers are with you. It was a pleasure to have Whitey as our teacher and our friend and he will be greatly missed. We have have many fond memories and may your memories bring you comfort.God Bless.
Tom Schafer
August 25, 2009
Mr. Criss will be missed dearly.
August 25, 2009
Criss family - my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mr. Criss was a great teacher and I'll never forget playin spades with him. He will be missed. graduate of 1993.
Erin Murray
South Park, PA
Bruce Rayner
August 25, 2009
Mr Criss was the best teacher I had at South Park. I learned so much from him and loved working with him
Bruce Rayner
Class of 1983
August 25, 2009
Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Whitey was a great person and family friend. We will miss him. Joseph and Lillian Dahm, Carl and Lonnie Kay Trader
Tracy Goldbach
August 25, 2009
To the entire Criss family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Mr. Criss will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a great teacher and friend.
Oliver Bateman
August 25, 2009
Dear Whitey...My prayers and sympathies are with you and your family..You were a fine fellow...
Paula Klocek
August 25, 2009
To the Criss Family from my family The Klocek's, Joe, Paula, Jeff, Kerri, Kristin and Brian we extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you and your entire family. We will keep your Husband, Father, Grandfather, Father-in-Law in our prayers as well as all of you. Death is a hard thing to digest, but God will guide us and your loved one will watch over all of you for forever. I am Lisa Criss's friend from Elliott.
Matt & Janell Pastorik
August 25, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Greg Bohonek
August 25, 2009
My sincere condolences on the passing of Mr. Criss. He was a great teacher and person. He will be sorely missed. I know my siblings join me in this sentiment: Richard Bohonek SPHS '68, Michele Bohonek '71, Greg Bohonek '75 and Carol Bohonek '79. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Showing 1 - 33 of 33 results
333 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15223
Make a Donation
in Harry Criss's name
How to support Harry's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Harry Criss's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
