Senator Gerald J. LaValle Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Senator Gerald J. LaValle, 86, of Rochester Twp., passed away Wednesday, September 12, 2018, in the Good Samaritan Hospice, Beaver Campus. Born January 25, 1932, in Rochester, a son of the late Peter J. and Marie V. Pagley LaValle, he was a member of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Parish, Rochester. He was a graduate of Rochester High School, received his B.S. degree in Business from Geneva College and his Master’s in Education with emphasis on Guidance from Westminster College. He was a peacetime Marine Corps veteran with the 4th Marine Division and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Marine Reserves. He was a retired teacher in the Midland and Rochester School Districts with 25 years of teaching, and also served as an assistant football coach with both schools. He was a former Rochester Boro council member and President of council and former Mayor of Rochester. He was a former Beaver County Commissioner having served for six years and had been Chairman of the Board. He was a former Pennsylvania Senator for 19 years, representing the 47th Senatorial District. He was also a member of the Rochester SOI, the Rochester BPOE Lodge 283, Beaver Falls American Legion and the Knights of Columbus, Father James Reid Council. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Darla J. (Winkle) LaValle; a son, Peter J. LaValle, South Carolina, and his girlfriend, Kelly Pratte, Rochester Twp.; a daughter-in-law, Beth C. LaValle, Patterson Twp.; four grandchildren, Emilee Jo Johnson and her husband Luke, Brighton Twp.; Hailee Mae LaValle, New Brighton; Natilee Claire LaValle, Rochester, and Victoria Marie LaValle, Patterson Twp.; a great-grandson, Beau Johnson, Brighton Twp.; his best feline companion, Rylie, and four nieces and nephews, Nancy Kish and her husband Steve, Patterson Twp.; Kathy Toy and Brian, Lake Tomahawk, Ohio, Judy Dioguardi and her husband James, North Sewickley Twp., and Shari Mills and husband Mark, New Brighton. He was preceded in death by a son, Mark A. LaValle, and a sister and brother-in-law, Anna Mae and Tony Dioguardi. As per Jerry’s wishes, he was cremated. Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at 10 a.m. in St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, Rochester Twp. Inurnment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Patterson Twp. The Beaver County Special Unit will provide full military honors Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church. The family wishes memorial contributions be made to St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church, 628 Virginia Ave., Rochester, PA 15074; the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001; the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 1 Children’s Hospital Dr., 4401 Penn Ave., Central Plant Floor 3, Pittsburgh, PA 15224.

Tributes

Senator Gerald J. LaValle

January 25, 1932 - September 12, 2018