John Cirota

John Elios Cirota, 86, of Clarksville, died Tuesday, August 2, 2016, in his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 31, 1930, in Denbo, to the late Constance Voso and James "Pretty Jimmy" Cirota of Clarksville.
He met and fell in love with Gertrude "Trudy" Lewis and was married for 64 happy years. They had four children, John A. (Nita) Cirota of Carmichaels, Tina (Dan) Adamson of Waynesburg, Nancy (Randy) Faieta of Dry Tavern and Vincent Cirota of Clarksville. They had eight grandchildren, Jennifer (John) Henry, Tony Cirota, Brynn (Josh) Himes, Ryan (Andrea) Cirota, Melanie (Dallas) McClain, Daniel (Heather) Adamson and Kristen and Brandon Faieta. They also had six great-grandchildren, Colton (Erica) and Brett Henry, Ethan McClain and Brayden, London and Beau Adamson. He was a man of faith and love for his family.
Surviving, in addition to his wife and descendents, are two sisters, Amelia (Albert) Dascenzo of Canonsburg and Connie (Herb) McConnell of Caldwell, Ohio, and two brothers, Jerome (Kathy) Cirota of Latrobe and Bernard (Linda) Cirota of Clarksville.
Deceased are four siblings, Irene O'Brochta, Carmen Cirota, Alberico Cirota and Louise Giubileo.
From an early age, he loved music, playing trumpet and singing. He graduated from Jefferson-Morgan High School in 1948. During school, he was one of Mr. Small's Wild Cats. He formed a Big Band Sound Orchestra called Rythmairs, then later formed a polka band Rythmairs with his son Johnny, playing for weddings and ballroom dances. He loved singing in Mrs. Parker's Singing Church Men, Barber Shop Quartet, Senior Citizen Choir in Vestaburg and Holiness Camp Choir in Lakeland, Fla.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aircraft electrician for Ted Williams during the Korean War. He worked for Gateway Coal Co. as electrical foreman for 41 years. He served as a local fireman and in Lions Club, Carmichaels Grange 1389 and Pomona. He was an active member of Jefferson American Legion Post 954 for more than 36 years. He was a member of a square dance group, Fun Squares, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels with his son, Vincent. He was a member of First Christian Church of Carmichaels and enjoyed Christian Men's Fellowship, Bible study and prayer breakfast. After retirement, he spent winters in Lakeland at Florida Holiness Camp, which he called a "Training Camp for Heaven." He sang in choir, played trumpet, worked in the dining hall and served as an usher.
Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Behm Funeral Home, 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor. An additional visitation will be held from 10 am to noon Tuesday, August 9, in First Christian Church, 235 South Market Street, Carmichaels, PA 15320. A celebration service of his life will commence at noon with Pastor Harold O. Kelley officiating. Interment will follow in Church Hill Cemetery, McClellandtown. Military rites will be accorded by the U.S. Marine Corps and American Legion Post 954, Jefferson.