Gerald J. Yanity

1945 - 11

Gerald J. Yanity, 63, of Greensburg, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 8, 1945, in Crabtree, a son of the late Harry T. and Minnie Sorice Yanity. He was an attorney for Yanity Law Offices of Latrobe. Gerald was part of the first graduating class of Greensburg Central Catholic High School in 1963. He then attended St. Vincent College, graduating in 1967, and went on to graduate from Duquesne University School of Law, class of 1975. He was the first president of the St. Vincent De Paul Society of Our Lady of Grace, a member of the American Legion and the Latrobe Elks. He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus. Professionally, he was a member of the Westmoreland County Bar Association, a charter member of the Elder Law Committee and the Municipal Law Committee. Gerald was admitted to practice law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the US District Court of Western PA in 1975, and admitted to practice law before the US Supreme Court in 1988. He was a solicitor for the borough of Youngwood, the Youngwood Borough Authority and the New Alexandria Borough. He had served on the Derry Recreation Board and the Derry Zoning Hearing Board. He served as local counsel for the Latrobe Area Hospital until 2005. He was member of St. Benedict Parish, Marguerite, and was a member of the Westmoreland Historical Society and the National Civil War Preservation Trust. He served in the Army Reserves. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Major Harry P. Yanity. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 41 years, Kathleen Palko Yanity; two children, Gerald W. Yanity, with whom he shared his law practice, and his wife, Kathleen A., of Greensburg, and Jeralyn Brown and her husband, Stephen, of North Huntingdon; a granddaughter, Abrielle Brown; a brother, Gene Yanity and his wife, Mary Ann, of Crabtree; parents-in-law, Andrew and Frances Palko, of Greensburg; a brother-in-law, Bill Palko and his wife, Sylvia, of Maryland; a sister-in-law, Winifred Yanity, of Greensburg; several nieces and nephews and two "angel helpers", Mary and Marian. Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Gerald from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the CLEMENT L. PANTALONE FUNERAL HOME INC., 409 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-837-0020. Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Emma's Fatima Retreat Chapel. Interment will follow in St. Emma's Cemetery, Greensburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Emma Monastery, 1001 Harvey Ave., Greensburg, PA 15601. To sign online guestbook, view memorial video, order flowers/condolence gifts or for directions, please visit us at www.pantalone.com. Natale N. Pantalone, supervisor.