Councilman loved family, Latrobe

Veteran Latrobe councilman Samuel D. DePasquale was praised as a man who loved his family and loved the city of Latrobe.

DePasquale, 78, who served on Latrobe Council for 40 years, died at his home on Saturday, June 30, 2001. His son, Samuel D. DePasquale Jr. of Jeannette, said his father suffered from cancer.

Mr. DePasquale was born on March 24, 1923, in Greensburg, a son of the late Donato and Marietta Terrier DePasquale. He was one of 11 children in his family who grew up during the Depression of the 1930s.

DePasquale Jr. said his father liked to help people in the community. He recalled his father often saying that 'the gift was in the giving.'

Mr. DePasquale gave to the community for 40 years. He served that long on Latrobe council. His term is believed to be the longest tenure of any council member in Latrobe's history.

Mayor Vince Lucchetti said Mr. DePasquale will be missed by his family as well as the residents of the city.

'It's just a devastating loss to the city. It really is,' Lucchetti said.

Rick Stadler, Latrobe city manager and chief administrator for seven years, said Mr. DePasquale loved his family first and then loved the city of Latrobe.

'He treated the people in this town like an extended family,' Stadler said.

Mr. DePasquale was fair in his dealings with people, Stadler said.

Stadler said Mr. DePasquale was a big supporter of the flood-control projects in town and public-works projects, including downtown revitalization.

Mr. DePasquale spearheaded the current project to widen the intersection of Unity Street and Route 981 and lower the road surface under a railroad overpass to allow larger trucks to use that street, Stadler said.

'Sam was a doer when it came to public works. He strived to do those things,' Stadler said.

Mr. DePasquale was a man who knew how the political system worked and how to get things done, Lucchetti said. Even when Latrobe had council members elected by wards, people knew that Mr. DePasquale was the man who could get things done in town, Lucchetti said.

Former mayor James Gebicki called Mr. DePasquale a wonderful person and a political ally who 'always was smiling.'

Mr. DePasquale was unselfish in his devotion to helping Latrobe, Gebicki said.

'If you gave him the ball (on a project), boy could he run,'

'I am going to miss him. The community is going to miss him,' Gebicki said.

Mr. DePasquale wanted to continue serving on Latrobe Council. He won the Democratic Party nomination to one of three seats that will be decided in the November election.

Mr. DePasquale worked for many years for Latrobe Brewing Co., the brewer of Rolling Rock beer. He was a member of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Latrobe.

DePasquale Jr. said his father loved to garden and enjoyed sharing the abundant produce from his garden with his family and friends.

Mr. DePasquale volunteered his time and expertise to help with the Latrobe Mini Garden Project, which is responsible for the planting and maintenance of beautiful flower gardens throughout the city.

'He had great pride in his family. He took pride in the great accomplishments of the family,' DePasquale Jr. said.

He is survived by his wife, Amy Ciocco DePasquale. DePasquale Jr. said his parents celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary last Friday.

He also was preceded in death by a son, Frank P. DePasquale, in 1992; three brothers, Edward, Angelo and Dan DePasquale; and five sisters, Donnina Passarelli, Anna Morelli, Loretta Vaccaro, Ida Gallo and Emma Macko.

In addition to his son and wife, Nanci, of Jeannette; Mr. DePasquale also is survived by a daughter-in-law, Betty DePasquale of Latrobe; three grandchildren, Mary Beth Polinsky and husband, Kevin, and Dan and Molly DePasquale; his great-granddaughter, Kylie Polinsky; a brother, Henry DePasquale and wife, Sarah, of Greensburg; a sister, Olga Falcone of Greensburg; two brothers-in-law, Frank Ciocco and Mike Ciocco and wife, Helen; three sisters-in-law, Lucy Vince, Phyllis DePasquale and Ann DePasquale; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received at the Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home Inc., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday in Holy Family Church, Latrobe. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Latrobe.