Gerald D. Persuit, 83, of Sewickley passed away on Friday May 27, 2016. Jerry was born August 7, 1932, on Washington Street in Leetsdale and was a 1950 graduate of Leetsdale High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a foreman at Bethlehem Steel in Leetsdale for 27 years before opening and operating a successful painting business, Fantastic Finishes, for 25 years. He was a faithful member of St. James Catholic Church in Sewickley, where he served as an usher for over 50 years. He had a tremendous impact not only on his children and grandchildren but also on the children of the community; he introduced T-Ball, Bronco, and Colt leagues to the area, which gave hundreds of children the opportunity to learn and love the game of baseball. He loved sports, hunting, fishing, cooking, and gardening, and he passed these loves onto his children and grandchildren.

Son of the late James and Ellen “Nellie” (Sullivan) and survived by his former spouse, Rose Cicero. Father of Jimmy Dale Persuit and Mary Ellen Persuit both of Sewickley; Gerald “Danny” (Jenine) Persuit of Harmony Twp.; Robert (Jeanne) Persuit of Wilmington, NC; Lucy (John) Malarik and Frankie (Sheri) Persuit, both of Sewickley; beloved Grandfather of Derek, Jacklyn, Kelsey, Janelle, Sydney, Morgan, Jake, and Avery; Brother of the late Mary Jane Russo and brother-in-law of Lou Russo, uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Visitation Tuesday 2-8 p.m. at Copeland’s Funeral Home, 702 Beaver Street, Sewickley. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 200 Walnut Street, Sewickley. Internment private. In lieu of flowers, donations to support the Miracle League of Southwestern PA can be made to Pirates Charities, 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.

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