MATT BOICE
Matthew Aaron Boice, 61, of East Washington, died Friday, August 12, 2022.
He was born June 14, 1961 in Butler, a son of Janice Charles Boice, who survives, and the late Robert E. Boice.
Matthew was a 1979 graduate of Butler Area School District, received the degrees of Bachelor of Music from Grove City College, Master of Music from Duquesne University, and has done Doctoral work in Music Education at West Virginia University, as well as other post-graduate studies at Westminster Choir College and Kent State University.
Matthew spent his entire working life as a music educator, working for Avella Area, Peters Township, and most recently, Quaker Valley School District, from where he retired after 33 years in education. He also worked as an adjunct music professor at Washington and Jefferson College, Grove City College, California University of PA, and Waynesburg University.
He was a member of Pennsylvania Music Educators Association for which he served in leadership positions and was a featured clinician of numerous choral festivals. He also belonged to American Choral Directors Association.
He was serving as the mayor of East Washington Borough.
Matthew was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a tenor soloist, and more recently was serving as their organist and music director.
He was a twenty-year member of the professional core of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh under Robert Page, and was in demand as a soloist, clinician, and conductor. He was performing Renaissance, Baroque, Colonial, and Celtic music with Beau Street Players of Washington, and was the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Washington Festival Chorale.
Matthew was Past Master of Sunset Lodge #237, F&AM, Washington, and was very active in the Syria Shrine and several Masonic Fraternities.
On October 22, 1983 in Derry, PA he married Linda Marsh, who survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Sarah (Mitchell) Stecker, and Kelly (Dustin) Fuller both of Washington; a brother, Dwight (Tammy) Boice of Butler; a sister, Wendy (Reuben III) Holt of Chicora; a granddaughter, Audra Fuller; nieces, Jodi, Laura, and Anna; nephews, Reuben and Buck; also several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, Andrew C. Piatt, director.
GENE VITTONE
Eugene A. “Gene” Vittone II, 61, of Bentleyville died at Shadyside Hospital on Saturday, August 21, 2021 following a brief illness.
Until the end of his life, Gene worked for the people of Washington County. He wanted to make sure that important issues were resolved and the duties of his office were fulfilled. He knew that county residents expected it, and his work ethic would not let him ignore those responsibilities, despite his own health issues.
The only thing more important to him than his elected office and dedicated staff was his love for his family. Gene married Jane Ann Hibbs on September 24, 1999. Gene was so proud of Jane Ann and her work in the healthcare field and was very supportive of her work with animal rescue. Together they had two children, Michael and Laura. As an Eagle Scout, Gene served as an assistant scoutmaster for troop 1419, and was proud Michael followed in his footsteps as an Eagle Scout in 2019.
Gene enjoyed coaching for nearly every Pony Baseball team on which Michael and Laura played for many years. He shared a love of singing with Laura. They sang in several church choirs and in the Washington Festival Chorale. They also performed in ‘Tuba Christmas’ each holiday season.
Graduating from Peters Township High School in 1977, Gene ran for the track team and played trumpet in the Fighting Indians Marching Band. He attended the University of Pittsburgh, played in the Pitt Band, and graduated in 1981 with a B.S. in Biological Sciences. Following that, he went on to obtain his Master's degrees in Business Administration and in Health Administration, also from the University of Pittsburgh. After completing those advanced degrees, Gene managed Washington Ambulance and Chair Service. While he attended law school, he worked as a paramedic and maintained his certification for the rest of his life. In 1997, Gene earned his law degree with honors from Duquesne University. He was a member of the Law Review and the Manderino Honor Society in Advocacy.
After graduating from law school, Gene became an Assistant District Attorney in Washington County. During that time, he handled juvenile court, several trial lists and felony criminal trials. Gene also initiated the Drug Treatment Court and oversaw white collar prosecutions within the county.
On January 3, 2012, Gene was sworn in for his first term as District Attorney. His priority was to address the opioid epidemic in the county through an aggressive prosecution of dealers, rehabilitation of those with substance abuse disorders, and the implementation of a countywide Narcan distribution program. Gene was instrumental in creating an Opioid Task Force that comprised a multi-disciplinary team whose goal was to reduce opioid related deaths. He was recognized statewide and nationally for his efforts in combating this epidemic.
Gene also worked tirelessly to educate seniors about various forms of elder abuse and was tough on prosecuting those who harmed our most vulnerable residents. Under Gene’s tenure as District Attorney, the office was streamlined and modernized with the latest technology, while saving the taxpayers of Washington County thousands of dollars through his careful fiscal management.
Gene was recently named president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and served on the executive board for the National District Attorneys Association. He was also a member of the Pennsylvania Narcotic Officers Association and the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators. Gene was a Third-Degree Knight of Columbus and was a member of the Sunset Lodge #623 Free and Accepted Masons. He was also a member of the Italian American Society of Washington County and the Finleyville Italian Gumba Society (FIGS). A Catholic by faith, Gene was a cantor and a member of the choir at Saint Katharine Drexel Church in Bentleyville and at Immaculate Conception Church in Washington.
Gene was the son of Eugene A. Vittone of Peters Twp. and the late Mary Anne Vittone. He is also survived by his sisters, Lisa (Bill) Richard and Cara Vittone; and brother, Lawrence Vittone, his brothers and sisters-in-law and by his nieces, nephews and cousins.
Gene will be fondly remembered for his positivity, humility, generosity, and kindness towards everyone he met.
TIM GRANTZ
Timothy James Grantz, 61, of Washington, died unexpectedly Sunday, January 10, 2021 in his home.
He was born September 3, 1959 in Washington, the son of H. Milton “Whitie” and Jacqueline J. Stockdale Grantz, of Washington.
Mr. Grantz was a 1977 graduate of Trinity High School and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in music education from West Liberty State College in 1982.
He worked for the Intermediate Unit #1 for a time, and worked for many years at Subs Unlimited. He was also employed, more recently, in security, by the Church of the Covenant, Washington, where he was a longtime member.
He was a passionate patron and participant in the arts; he was a strong tenor who sang with many groups, such as the Church of the Covenant Choir, the Washington Festival Chorale, and was a paid tenor for the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, Dormont, and the First Presbyterian Church of Wheeling. He was also a longtime member of the Washington Community Theater.
He was active with the “Subs Unlimited Relay For Life” for many years.
Surviving, with his parents, are two sisters, Terri Grantz and Stephanie (Keith) Silbaugh, both of Washington; a beloved niece, Nicole Silbaugh, of whom he was extremely proud, and many aunts, cousins and very good friends. He was always described as a kind, humble, sweet and gentle soul and will be missed by all who loved him.
BRUCE LEAVITT
Bruce R. Leavitt, 63, of Washington, PA, passed away Sunday evening, December 1, 2013. Bruce worked in the mining industry throughout his career in various capacities, including mining engineer, corporate environmental hydro geologist for Consol, Inc. specializing in mine flooding, mine drainage production, and more recently with Trompe Technology with mine drainage treatment projects. (See: www.osmre.gov/resources/ Trompe). Bruce was preceded in death by his sister, Cathy Mae (Leavitt) Ringey of Ferndale, Michigan. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Kathleen (Krebs) Leavitt; and his children, Rebecca (Richard) Hollerman of Murrysville, and Gregory Leavitt of Washington. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Benjamin and Samantha Hollerman. Bruce was grateful for all the loving support he received over the last two and a half years of his illness and looked forward to the salvation and redemption offered by Jesus Christ and will be missed by all who loved him.