Ralph A. Gasbarre, 78, of 112 Cushing Ave., Johnsonburg, died Wednesday night (Dec. 18, 2013) at Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys, following a lengthy illness.

On July 2, 1960, in Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, he married Mary Bliss, who survives.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as a PFC with Company A 2nd Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He served overseas in Germany from Oct. 1, 1958 to March 2, 1960 with Elvis Presley as a member of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armored Division.


Surviving, in addition to his wife at home, are two sons, Donald W. (Paula) Gasbarre and Dennis W. (Lori C.) Gasbarre, both of Johnsonburg; a daughter, Lori Ann Gasbarre of Johnsonburg; two grandchildren, Joshua and Merisa Gasbarre; and three sisters, Ann Marie Gasbarre of Ridgway and Rose Marie Gasbarre and Veronica Burrs, both of Johnsonburg.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home, 401 Chestnut St., Johnsonburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, with the Rev. David J. Wilson, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens, Ridgway.

Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Wilcox Servicemen's Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Saturday.