Author: Beaver County Radio

Jean P. Mitchell (1934-2024)

Jean P. Mitchell, 89, of New Sewickley Twp., passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024, in her home. Jean was born November, 19, 1934, in New Kensington, PA. Jean was the daughter of the late Clayton and Fern Ruddy Farneth. Jean is survived by her husband of 42 years, Dale E. Mitchell, one daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was a retired Wal-Mart greeter in Monaca and former employee with Standard Collapsable Tube of Rochester Township.
Jean’s wishes were to be cremated with no services. Arrangements are being handled by The William Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, PA.

Marjorie C. Depaolis (1934-2024)

Marjorie “Hoover” DePaolis, 89, of New Sewickley Township, passed away on February 28th, 2024, at Allegheny General Hospital. Marjorie was born June 18th, 1934 in Hollidaysburg, PA, and is the daughter of the late Adam J. Sr. and Anna Yuengling Hoover. Marjorie was preceded in death by four other sisters, Mary Jean Bleicher, Joan Porter, Gertrude McGraw, and Loretta Jacob. She was also preceded by three brothers, Adam Hoover Jr., Martin and Harold Hoover. She is survived by four sisters, Annette Merretts, Shirley Fahr, Christina Newman, and Betty Ann Corl. Marjorie is survived by her husband of 70 years, Lawrence A. DePaolis Sr and is also survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Vickie and Rodney Eichhorn of Port St. Lucie, FL, Donna DePaolis McKeever of Gig Harbor, WA, Tracy and Mark Drago of Nazareth, PA, as well as two sons and daughters-in-law, Lawrence A. Jr. and Judy DePaolis of Vienna, VA, and Michael A. and Dianne DePaolis of Rochester, PA. Marjorie was a housewife and homemaker, as well as a member of St. Felix Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Freedom, where she was a Christian mother. She was an avid card player, member of the AACA car club, North Hills car club, and Beaver County Model Airplane Club. Marjorie was the proud grandmother to seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Friends will be received on Monday March 4th from 2-4 and 6-8 at William Murphy Funeral Home Inc., 349 Adams Street, Rochester, PA 15074. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Tuesday March 5th at 10 am at St. Felix Roman Catholic Church, Freedom. Interment will be at Calvary cemetery in Freedom. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to St. Felix Roman Catholic Church at 450 13th Street, Freedom, PA 15024.
On Tuesday, everyone is requested to come to the church by 9:30 for the Mass at 10.

Three trains involved in ‘collision and derailment’ in eastern Pennsylvania; no injuries reported

This photo provided by Nancy Run Fire Company shows a train derailment along a riverbank in Saucon Township, Pa., on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Authorities said it was unclear how many cars were involved but no injuries or hazardous materials were reported. (Nancy Run Fire Company via AP)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — Authorities say three trains were involved in a derailment in eastern Pennsylvania that left some railroad cars along a riverbank and at least one partially in the river, but caused no reported injuries or hazardous materials concerns. Dispatchers in Northampton County say the derailment was reported at about 7:15 a.m. Saturday in Lower Saucon Township. The National Transportation Safety Board says preliminary information indicates an eastbound Norfolk Southern train struck a stopped train on the same track, derailing some cars, and wreckage from the striking train spilled onto an adjacent track and was struck by a westbound Norfolk Southern train.

Kathleen “Toni” A. Persinger (1942-2024)

Kathleen “Toni” A. Persinger, 81, of Beaver, passed away at her daughter’s home, on February 26, 2024.

She was born on June 14, 1942, in Salamanca, NY, to the late James and Joyce Bentley.

Along with her parents, Toni is preceded in death by two siblings, Mary Frey, and Michael Bentley.

Toni is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Larry; her children and their spouses, Randy (Peggy) Persinger, of Liberty, MO, and Wendy (Michael) Knuth, of Fall Creek, WI; three siblings, Jan (Carla) Bentley, Partrick (Sue) Bentley, and Evamarie Carnahan; grandchildren, Jennifer (Kevin) Turcheck, Benjamin Persinger, Rachel (Jason) Knuth-Matteson, Jacob (Kameron Reitan) Knuth, Madigan (Nicholas) Knuth-Peterson, and Blake Persinger; a sister-in-law and her husband, Cheryl (Pat) Formoso, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Toni had been a faithful member of St. Ann Catholic Parish, in Excelsior Springs, MO, for 38 years. She enjoyed volunteer work, and was an antique enthusiast, having had her own antique business for many years. A prolific letter writer and voracious reader, Toni corresponded with family and friends for decades. She was passionate about taking mini trips with her beloved husband, and spending time with her grandchildren and their many dogs. Toni will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Anyone who knew her said she was the nicest person they’d ever met.

As per Toni’s wishes, all services were private and inurnment will take place at Beaver Cemetery.

Professional Arrangements have been entrusted to the Noll Funeral Home Inc., 333 Third Street, Beaver, PA, 15009. Online condolences may be shared at www.nollfuneral.com.

Ed Ott, catcher who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1979 World Series, dies at 72

FILE – Pittsburgh Pirates’ Ed Ott slides across home late out of reach of Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey to score the winning run in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the World Series at Baltimore, Oct. 11, 1979. Ott, a former major league catcher and coach who helped the Pirates win the 1979 World Series, died Sunday, March 3, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ed Ott, a former major league catcher and coach who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1979 World Series, has died. He was 72. The Pirates say Ott died Sunday in the central Pennsylvania town of Danville. No further details were provided by the team. Ott was selected by Pittsburgh in the 23rd round of the 1970 amateur draft out of high school. He batted .259 with 33 homers and 195 RBIs in 567 major league games. Ott and Steve Nicosia were the main catchers when the Pirates won it all in 1979.

Thomas E. Albanese (1953-2024)

Tom Albanese, a lifelong New Brighton Lion, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2024 at Allegheny General Hospital surrounded by his family.  As a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and pap, he has left his mark on everyone he has met.

Born on August 13, 1953, in New Brighton, he is the son of Tom and Joan (Cornelius) Albanese.  Tom dedicated 35 years as a devoted public servant, committed to the betterment of New Brighton Borough.  He served on New Brighton Borough Council for 27 years after his appointment in September 1989, with many years as Council President, and most recently for 8 years as the Mayor of New Brighton.  As Mayor, he was the proud recipient of the Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence for Intergovernmental Cooperation in April 2019. Tom worked for A.K. Nahas Furniture and Appliance and was a member of the New Brighton Eagles Aerie 1432, the New Brighton American Legion Post 19, and the New Brighton Croatian Club.  An avid football and basketball fan, Tom was always cheering for the Pittsburgh Panthers, Penn State Nittany Lions, or watching the Pittsburgh Steelers with his friends at Wooley Bullys or the Eagles.

In addition to his parents, Tom is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Anita (Malagise) Albanese, son Tommy (Stacey) Albanese, brother John Albanese, sister-in-law Kathy Benson, brother-in-law and sister–in-law Greg and Phyllis Fazio, nephews Bryan (Amy) Fazio and Michael Albanese, nieces Shelley Fazio and Sundi Fazio, numerous cousins, long time friend Frank Purrachio, and his best bud, his grandson, Nico Albanese.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Earl & Marguerite Cornelius, his paternal grandparents, Lorenzo & Theresa Albanese, his mother and father-in-law, John and Josephine Malagise, and his brother-in-law Ron Benson.

The family would like to thank Dr. Hassan Shakeel and the MICU staff at Allegheny General Hospital for their care and compassion.

Friends and family will be received on Wednesday from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM and 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Ave, New Brighton, and Thursday from 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 AM at Life Family Church, 1810 Valley Avenue, with Pastor Sam DeMarco officiating.

As Tom would say “Turn the page.  This is the beginning of the next chapter”

Hyman scores 2 to lead Oilers to 6-1 win over Penguins

Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal against the Pittsburg Penguins during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday March 3, 2024. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Zach Hyman scored two goals and Leon Draisaitl had three assists as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1. Ryan McLeod and Connor McDavid each had a goal and an assist, and Corey Perry and Cody Ceci also scored for the Oilers, who have won four in a row and are 31-8-1 in their last 40 games. Calvin Pickard stopped 22 shots. Evgeni Malkin scored for the Penguins in their third straight loss. Alex Nedeljkovic finished with 31 saves.

EPA says East Palestine clean up soon to reach milestone

FILE – A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)

(East Palestine, Oh) The EPA and Ohio EPA say that the East Palestine clean up efforts are reaching an important milestone, which is returning the natural flow of water back into Sulphur Run. To prepare for rainwater and water from the upstream wetlands to flow naturally on-site, the north and south ditches alongside the tracks will be evaluated in areas, starting at the western-most end of the derailment site. Robust testing under EPA and Ohio EPA guidance, oversight, and approval will ensure the soils around and within the ditches have no remaining contamination.

Once testing in one area of the ditch shows naturally flowing water is safe to enter Sulphur Run, flow will be restored for that area. The testing process will repeat area-by area until the full natural flow of water is restored. Surface water testing in Sulphur and Leslie Runs will continue through the process. None of the water flow will come from water currently contained on site.