James D. McVay Sr.

JAMES DONALD McVAY, SR. 

Age 92, of Ingram Boro, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family on September 9, 2020, from pancreatic cancer. His greatest love for over 56 years was his late wife, Helen (Snyder) McVay, who passed in 2008. Loving father to Patricia Ann (Mike) Gorrell, Janine (Mike) Collette, James McVay, Jr., and Julie McVay (Eric Mooradian). Loving "Pop" to grandchildren, Christi (Jeff) Rowekamp, Heather Johnson Esq., Matthew Collette, Jacob McVay and Rachel Addlespurger. Loving "Silly Pop" to great-grandchildren, Tyler and Ally Rowekamp. Also survived by many loving nieces; nephews; friends; neighbors; loving Goddaughter, Eileen Volzer; and sisters-in-law, Rita Carlson and Grace Snyder. Preceded in death by his father, Abner Jay, who passed when James was five years old; and his mother, Mary Lyttle McVay Dreibholz, who died in 1990 at the age of 99. Brother of the late Eileen Foliart, who passed in 1996, and Paul of Arizona, who passed in 2000; Chris Dreibholz, a fabulous step-father and talented artist that passed in 1971. James attended St. Joseph Military Academy, graduated from St. Vincent Prep, enlisted during WWII in the U.S. Navy (U.S.S. AMPHION), and also attended the University of Pittsburgh and later became employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad (later known as "Conrail") in 1948. James was a founding member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at Ascension Church and tried to join his wife in the church choir but was rightfully rejected. In 1969, James was elected to the Ingram Boro Council, where he served as council President for 12 years and mayor for the next eight years. He then became a member of the Civil Service Commission. James retired January 1, 1990 from Ascension Church committees, Ingram Boro activities, and the railroad. He then became the longest ever volunteer at Ohio Valley General Hospital, from 1990-2018. He loved his time at "the Valley," helping others and making many wonderful friends. Known as "Jim" during his school years, while in the military, and at the railroad but known as "Don" in the neighborhood, at church, Ingram Boro, and as a hospital volunteer. His second greatest love was the family cottage he bought in 1965 and called his "Labor of Love" in Pymatuning Lake, PA. Due to the current health conditions with the pandemic, all services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of his granddaughter, Heather, who loves and dedicates her time and career to managing COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, 601E. 5th St., Suite 510, Charlotte, NC 28202, www.cfcrights.org. Interment will be in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies with military honors. Arrangements entrusted to SCHEPNER-MCDERMOTT FUNERAL HOME, INC., 165 Noble Ave., Crafton.

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