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BORN
1929
DIED
2018
FUNERAL HOME
Robert Cervi Obituary
Friends and family will gather for a funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 Main St., Irwin, with his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Clifton Suehr officiating. Arrangements are being handled by the WILLIAM SNYDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 521 Main St., Irwin, 724-863-1200.
For online condolences, please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Cervi
Sponsored by William Snyder Funeral Home, Inc. - Irwin.
Joy Marsico
March 30, 2020
I remember Bob from my very earliest memories. As kids, we were always at one or the other's homes. Bob in particular was like a second father to me. Whenever I got hurt, which was often, he was right there to take me to the doctor, or come visit me when I was recuperating & feeling scared. He always made me laugh, and he always made time in his busy schedule. I adored him. I have nothing but the fondest memories for this amazing man and servant of our community.
October 8, 2018
Bob Bottles Cervi wow a true Legend Hero and Human being and your right once these heroe's are gone (but not forgotten) so are their Morals, Value's and God given Talents and Abilities! RIP Fallen Brother. Blessings and Prayers to all Friends and Family!! Mike Ross III Viera Florida
Levi Frick
October 6, 2018
Rest In Peace my friend!
Bob Bottles Cervi was an institution in the Irwin Community, he was always out and about around town! He was a street department employee, police department employee, and a volunteer fireman, he was a valuable member of the community. On my trips home to visit, I would always make it a point to catch up with Bob, it was always a nice visit!
He will be greatly missed!
M M
October 5, 2018
My heart goes out to the family
JV
October 4, 2018
Godspeed my friend
Frank DiMartino
October 4, 2018
What a great basketball player this guy was. I remember him playing for the Purple Heart .Org of Greensburg in the early 50's
I am sure he will make the first team up there
RIPRobert
Frank DiMartino
Greensburg Pa
John Neil
October 4, 2018
Yet another piece of my youth taken away as we all eventually will be. Bob was a great firefighting mentor.
Joseph F. Ott, Benjamin Perkins and now Bob. We are fast running out of mentors and father figures. God bless you Bob.
John Neil, Glenshaw,PA IVFD 1977-1984
October 3, 2018
Sincere Condolences David F OBrien
Dan Clougherty
October 2, 2018
First met Bob and his wife, Sally, when my family and his shared a duplex on Caruther's Lanr back in 1960-1963. Bob and his wife were wondeful neighbors; a friendship that lasted a lifetime.
Bob had a pleasant demeanor; always had a smile and an encouraging word for us young folks.
He was an exemplary athlete; Bob was a member of several of the great basketball championship teams that the Irwin, Norwin School District still honors to this day.
Ironically, following my family's move from Caruther's Lane to a location but a couple of miles away in North Huntingdon, I became a neighbor and close friend of Tom Butler. Tom was Bob's team mate and also an all-state basketball player on the Irwin Championship Roundball Squads of the latter 1940's.
The enclosed article is a testament to Bob, Tom, their team mates, coaches and the Irwin/North Huntingon/Norwin School Districts.
May the good Lord bless you Bob. Your memory will remain in my prayers.
Best Regards,
Dan Clougherty
Irwin High School won 4 state basketball titles in 1940s and '50s
By Bob Cupp
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW (sent to us by Dave Burman, Lewistown Radio)
"March Madness" always brings back fond memories of the golden age of Irwin High School basketball.
During the 12-year period between 1947 and 1958, the tiny school, playing Class B basketball, won 11 section championships (including ties), six Westmoreland County Tournament championships, five WPIAL championships, five western region and four state championships.
Those incredible accomplishments began 60 years ago on April 1, 1947, when Irwin won its initial state basketball championship in the first year of the new school's existence. But how could that be possible? Irwin High School existed long before 1947.
Well, in 1915, after discussing the possibility of a merger for several years, the Irwin and North Huntingdon school districts decided to erect a joint high school. A 30-year agreement was signed and the name "Norwin," consisting of three letters from each school district's name, was selected for the new district. The two separate school boards jointly purchased 12 acres of land, parts of which were located in each district. In the fall of 1916, Norwin High School opened its doors for the first time.
In July 1946, the Irwin School Board withdrew their students, completing the 30-year agreement. The North Huntingdon and Irwin school districts then operated separately for the next 12 years. It was during this era that the Irwin boys basketball program was one of the most successful in Pennsylvania scholastic roundball history.
The first-year basketball team (1946-47) was led by Coach Don Rose who coached at Norwin the three previous seasons. Rose was a very busy man, coaching the varsity, junior varsity and junior high teams at the same time. John Abraham was the only Irwin player with any previous varsity experience, playing for Norwin in his sophomore year.
The team brought fame to the new school by winning the Pennsylvania Class B State Championship with a record of 30-1. The only blemish came against rival Pitcairn in section play. Wampum was their victim in the WPIAL final, and they beat the Weatherly Wreckers on Pitt Stadium's court for the state championship.
In those days, before jointures were common, there were many more school districts than there are today, but only the section winners went to the playoffs. There were only two classifications: large schools participated in Class A, small schools in Class B.
The Westmoreland County Tournament was a prestigious event with coveted championship trophies in both classifications.
The 1947-48 team got off to a slow start, losing two early games to Duquesne, the previous year's state Class A champions, and Wilkinsburg, but Rose's squad came back strong to win the next 26 games and another state championship. Irwin became the first team in the district to have its games broadcast over the radio.
The Knights beat Robinson Township for the WPIAL championship without their starting center, 6-foot-5-inch Dick Schade, who missed that game and the state playoffs because of appendicitis. Irwin was almost deserted on the day of the state championship game when 700 loyal fans traveled to Lancaster to watch their team beat Bridgeport, 49-34.
Three Irwin players were named to the Associated Press Class B All-State Scholastic Team. Forward John Abraham, noted for his excellent floor work and uncanny shooting ability from any angle, was named to the first team. Forward Bob Cervi and guard Tom Butler placed on the second team. That was quite an accomplishment for a small school with a graduating class of 35 boys and girls.
Losing all but one starter from the 1948 championship team presented a steep challenge to Coach Rose for the 1948-49 season. With an overall record of 19-8, the Knights finished second in Section XVI, losing twice to section champ Derry. However, they got revenge in the county tournament championship game, beating Derry, 47-44.
With a record of 34-1, the 1949-50 squad had a tremendous fan following. Even after the Knights lost a heartbreaker to Kutztown, 48-47, in the state championship game, the town honored their team as "champs." The "Black Knights," as they'd been dubbed by a local newspaper, went undefeated in section play and won the western region championship, as well as the county championship.
Coach Rose left Irwin to coach at North Huntingdon High prior to the 1950-51 season. He was replaced by Lyman Stough, who had been a star basketball player for Norwin. Under the direction of their new coach, the Knights won the Section XVII championship with a 10-0 record, losing to Avalon in the WPIAL final.
When Stough was called into military service in 1951, Joe McMunn moved up from the junior high coaching position to lead the varsity. The 1951-52 pre-season rankings predicted a low finish in Section XV for the Knights, but Coach McMunn guided the "Whiz Kids,, as the team was known, to a 21-5 record and its third consecutive section title, as well as another county championship.
After losing all five starters from the previous year, in 1953, Irwin won its third state championship, beating Ashley, 73-51, at the Pitt Field House. With a record of 33-1, the team's only blemish was an early season exhibition loss to Greensburg. Coach McMunn was credited with taking an inexperienced group of players and molding them into a smooth, well-balanced team.
Lyman Stough returned from the service in time for the 1953-54 season, guiding the Knights to their fourth state championship. Two early season exhibition losses to Greensburg and Avalon dampened their fans' expectations, but the "Terrors of the Turnpike," as they were then known, came back strong to finish at 26-2, beating Mt. Penn at Allentown, 61-55, in the state championship game.
This was generally considered Irwin's most talented team, with a rare combination of size, experience and skill. Chuck Hursh was named first team, state (AP), first team and outstanding player, section; Don Good, first team, state (UP); Colin Norberg, second team, state (AP); Lloyd Simpson, honorable mention, state, and first team, section.
The 1954-55 team won another section title, losing only one section game to Export, 55-56. The Knights defeated Washington Township in the WPIAL playoffs before falling to a strong East Bethlehem team in the semifinals at the Pitt Field House. Lloyd Simpson became the all-time Irwin high scorer with 1,110 total points.
The Knights compiled a 21-6 record during the 1955-56 season, winning their ninth section title and another county championship. They played Derry four times that year, splitting two section games, winning a section playoff and the championship game of the county tournament.
During the 1956-57 season, section losses to Perry and West Newton resulted in a three-way tie for Section XVII honors. The Knights lost by two points to Perry in a section playoff game after falling behind by 20 in the third quarter. After being eliminated, Irwin entered the county tournament, beating South Huntingdon, Laurel Valley and Bell-Avon to win the crown.
Being too small to have a football team, Irwin was known as a basketball town.
Opposing fans were always amazed by the size and enthusiasm of the Irwin cheering section. The Irwin firemen always supported their team. They brought a siren to every game, blasting it when the team ran onto the floor before the game and again at halftime.
Tom Butler, who played on the 1947 and 1948 championship teams, has warm memories of those golden years.
"The people of Irwin treated us like heroes," Butler recalled. "We were invited to banquets sponsored by local civic organizations, and parades were held in our honor. The first year, we were given watches; the next year, we got suitcases. One year, we received a $50 gift certificate to buy a new suit at Berk's Men's Store in Irwin. Everyone had something for us. Irwin has always had great people."
In 1957-58, with Lyman Stough still at the helm, the Knights again finished in a tie for the Section XVII title; they defeated Perryopolis in a playoff. After losing their next game in the WPIAL playoffs, they defeated Export in the county tournament before losing to Bell-Avon, 49-57.
That would prove to be Irwin's final game; its incredible 12-year run was over. On July 1, 1958, the North Huntingdon and Irwin school districts formed a new jointure. Two years later, the school systems permanently merged. The students of both districts overwhelmingly voted to retain the "Knights" nickname.
The team's nickname isn't the only reminder of the "Knights of the Roundball." In a hallway near the Norwin Senior High gym, there's a display case full of championship trophies, photos and basketball memorabilia. Above the trophy case, there's a real piece of Irwin history -- the center court section of the hardwood floor from Irwin High. It was "rescued" during the demolition of what had become Sixth Street School by former Norwin basketball coach Tom Shrump and a squad of past Irwin Knights players.
With an overall record of 286 wins and 52 losses, Irwin High School won an astonishing 85 percent of its games. That fantastic performance was fueled by an incomparable Irwin basketball tradition. A home court record of 119-13 certainly made that old hardwood floor and 12 years of roundball memories well worth saving.
October 2, 2018
so sorry for the loss of Bob. i work at the post office and bob came in all of the time over the past 17 years that i have worked there. always with a smile on his face. he always had stories to tell you and would be so happy if you gave him a hug. you will be missed. love donna
Hughie Fawcett
October 2, 2018
Bob ( Bottles ) Cervi with my Deepest Sympathy. We Will Take It From Here and May You Rest in The Big Station #57 Up Above and May God Bless You Brother,,, Hughie
October 2, 2018
With deepest sympathy, Michael Plumb Jr.
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