Robert A. Clay

Robert A. Clay, 79, of Moon Twp., passed away peacefully Sunday, March 21, 2021 at Good Samaritan Hospice in Wexford.  Born October 6, 1941 in Sewickley, he was the son of the late Andrew and Francis (Rosenberger) Clay.  He was a graduate of Ambridge High School and University of Pittsburgh with an Associates degree.  Robert “Bob” started his career as a store manager for Loblaw’s.  In 1969, he was awarded manager of the year at a celebratory event at the Drake Hotel in Chicago.  After receiving the district manager position at Loblaw’s, he was offered a top position with A & P.  Bob was a highly successful Regional Director of store operations in the Northeast with A & P, when he had the opportunity to purchase his own grocery store, Shop N Save in Monroeville.   Bob and his wife, Elisa continued to own and operate several retail/grocery businesses, including Festival Foods in Palmyra and Dairy Queen in Leetsdale.  He enjoyed family vacations in Aruba, Hawaii, and the Caribbean and taking long walks on the beaches.  He especially enjoyed the European vacations, spending time in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.  He was a member of the National Aviary and participated in showing his prize Canaries. His passion was hunting.  He went on African Safari’s, donating his kill to local villages for the food and furs to benefit the locals.  He also enjoyed hunting out west in Utah, Montana, and Wyoming. 

He will be remembered and missed by his wife of 53 years, Elisa (Santini) Clay; his sons, Robby (Erin) Clay, Sean Clay and Kevin (Crysanne) Clay; his grandchildren, Robert Tyler, Mya, Hudson, Calvin, Dante, and Coryn; his sister, Karen Clay; his brother, Jack (Sue) Clay; many cousins and nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 2-8pm at Copeland’s, 981 Brodhead Road, where morning prayers will be recited at 9:30am on Friday, before processing to a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 10am at St. Joseph Coraopolis.  Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

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