Obituary of Russell M. Verga

Russell M. Verga, age 90, passed away on August 31, 2015. Russell was born in Ripley, NY on May 20, 1925, son of the late Frank and Josephine Di Leonardo Verga. Russell served as a 1st Class Botswain’s Mate aboard the U.S.S. Gauger during WWII. He was honorably discharged and was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Campaign, European, African, Middle East ribbons and one star. Russell attended Lock Haven College and became a Patrolman with the Erie Policer Dept.; retiring as a Detective Sargent. He then worked at the PA Department of Probation and Parole; retiring as a Senior Agent. In 1954, Russell was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Untied Junior Chamber of Commerce for outstanding police work. Russell was a kind and generous man who devoted many years as a volunteer in several civic organizations. He was a long time member of the Fraternal Order of Police and was an honorary member of the Retired PA State Police. Russell is survived by his wife of 65 years Martha C. Simko Verga, one son Gerald Verga (Susan), one daughter Cheryl Daub (Kenneth), grandchildren: Nicole (Peter), Gabriel (Jennifer), and Jesse Verga, as well as four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mary Frank, and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his eight brothers and sisters. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff of St. Mary’s East and Hospice of Metropolitan Erie for their excellent cars. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. and are invited there on Saturday at 10:15 a.m. for prayers followed by a Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, 816 West 26th Street at 11: 00 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Metropolitan Erie, 202 East 10th Street, Erie, PA 16503 or to St. Mary’s East, 607 East 26th Street, Erie, PA 16504.