Frank E. Laero

1925 - 2016

Frank E. "Mertz" Laero, 91, of Oklahoma Borough, passed away Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in UPMC St. Margaret, Aspinwall. Born Sept. 18, 1925, in Vandergrift, he was a son of Frank and Anna (Petrarca) Laero. Frank was a lifelong resident of the area, and served our country with the Navy during World War II as a yeoman second class. When he returned from the war, he worked in the New Kensington Steel Mill. Frank worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for 25 years, retiring in 1998, and also did carpentry work in the evening to earn extra money to support his large family. He was a charter member of Grace Community Church - Inspired Ministries in Vandergrift, former member of the Christian Fellowship Church in Delmont, served as Boy Scout Master for Troop No. 545 for many years and as Scout Master at St. Gertrude in Vandergrift. Frank was loved by all of the children. He enjoyed cooking, baking bread, gardening and woodworking. Frank loved to make little animals and trinket boxes for family and friends. He also liked dancing the Tarantella, an Italian style of dancing with his beloved Freda. In addition to his parents, Frank was preceded in death by his sister, Louise Mrasz. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Freda M. (Conti) Laero; children, Nancy Zornow, of Vandergrift, Judy (Ronald) Kutsch, of Washington Township, James E. (Robin) Laero, of Allegheny Township, Robert (Donna) Laero, of Kent, Frank E. Laero Jr., of Florida, and Thomas M. (Lara) Laero, of Oklahoma Borough; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in the CURRAN-SHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in the funeral home with Frank's son, the Rev. James E. Laero, officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard immediately following the service. Private interment in Greenwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frank's memory to the Kiski Valley Food Bank, P.O. Box 178, Vandergrift, PA 15690. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.