Aug 9, 2011 3 min read

Known fondly as “Pap” by family and friends.

Peter George Zavage, Sr. passed away at age 85 on Saturday, August 6, 2011 after a brave, hard-fought battle with cancer.

Pete was born on February 22, 1926 in McClellandtown, PA, the last son of Michael and Elizabeth (Svenk) Zavage.

He grew up on the family farm with six brothers and five sisters.

He married Shirley (Perrine) Zavage in 1957 and the two shared 54 years together living in McClelland-town.

Pete loved gardening and flowers and the reward of hard work in the sun. He took great pride in the beautiful yard and bountiful garden he tended, always making sure family and friends had a stock of zucchini, cucumbers and tomatoes all summer, a tradition that continued until just this year.

Pete loved his children and his grandsons more than anything. He was always willing to give good horse-sense advice, whether solicited or not, usually including a unique perspective and off-color use of language. He took time and care and great interest in his family and, like the character John Wayne typically played in the westerns he so much enjoyed, he spoke his love for us through actions more clearly than any words he might have said.

In addition to his family and gardening, Pete loved to hunt mostly deer and rabbits, he had many good beagles over the years and he had a deep respect for nature. Many family members will fondly remember hunting outings with Pete. He would usually get his deer the first day of buck season, which he never missed while he was well. He also loved helping his daughter Deborah raise goats on her small boar goat farm.

A skilled handyman and plumber, Pete was retired from JC Loading Company, where he worked at Lock 8 in Point Marion, PA.

Pete is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Pete, Jr. of McClellandtown and his former wife, Patricia (Fike) of Uniontown, PA; daughter, Deborah Marella and husband, Richard of Fairchance, PA; daughter, Susan Zavage Grivnow and husband, Stephen of Pittsburgh, PA; grandsons, Zachary Marella, Peter Zavage III, Nicholas Marella, and Christopher Zavage; sister, Veronica “Roni” Lowe and husband, Dale; sister, Margaret Ptak; sister-in-law, Edith Zavage; sister-in-law, Genevieve Zavage; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Pete is predeceased by brothers, Michael, Paul, John, Steve, Andy and Edward and sisters, Elizabeth, Anna and Mary.

The family would like to thank the staff at South Fayette Nursing Center in Markleysburg, PA and Albert Gallatin Home Care and Hospice for their compassionate care.

Friends will be received in the DEAN C. WHITMARSH FUNERAL HOME, 134 West Church Street, Fairchance, PA, on Wednesday, August 10 from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. Service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, August 11 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend John M. Butler as Celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program in Fayette County, The Pennsylvania State University, Federal Building, 34 West Peter Street, Uniontown, PA, 15401.