John Edward Gonda

John E. Gonda, 95, of New Alexandria, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. He was born Sept. 20, 1919, in New Alexandria, to the late John E. Gonda Sr. and Elizabeth Repko. John retired from Koppers Co., where he was an estimator. John was a mechanical engineer. He was a member of the St. James Church of New Alexandria, where he belonged to the Holy Name Society. He also belonged to the American Legion Post 652 of New Alexandria. He was a member of the VFW Post 33 of Greensburg and he also belonged to the 325th fighter group, the Checkertails Organization. He was in World War II, serving in the Army, and was a fighter pilot single engine with the rank of first lieutinant. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Joseph, Albert and Thomas; and sisters, Mary, Irene and Betty. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 37 years, Rose Mary Cocivera, of New Alexandria; sisters, Martha Euker, of Chicago, and Agnes Gonda, of Oklahoma City; brother-in-law, Prof. Michael (Mary) Cocivera, of British Columbia, Canada; sister-in-law, Elanor Cocivera, of Pittsburgh; and several nieces and nephews, of the U.S. and Canada. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014, and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at the P. DAVID NEWHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, corner of Church and Washington Streets, New Alexandria. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in St. James Church, New Alexandria, with Monsignor Larry J. Kulick J.C.L. as celebrant. Burial will be at Calvary Hill Cemetery, Unity Township. The Holy Name will pray the rosary Wednesday afternoon at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 777 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, or St. James Church, 306 St. Jasmes Lane, New Alexandria, PA 15670. www.newhousefuneralhome.com.

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