Daniel Joseph Gentile

PAGE, Ariz. - Daniel Joseph Gentile died peacefully, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, with family by his side. He remained strong-willed and good-natured to his last breath at the age of 97.

He was born Oct. 10, 1926, the ninth of 12 children, to Italian Immigrant parents Donato and Lucia Tiani Gentile on Perry Street in Struthers.

A lifelong resident of the greater Youngstown area, he graduated from Struthers High School in 1944 and enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theatre aboard the USS Pennsylvania battleship and on the island of Saipan. He received the Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal prior to being honorably discharged.

Upon return from military service, he worked for Youngstown Sheet and Tube from 1946 to 1953. In 1953, he began a career with Ohio Bell Telephone Company, and later, American Telephone and Telegraph (ATT). He worked as a lineman and was later promoted to supervisor, retiring in 1986 with 33 years of service.

Together with his wife, Mary Margaret Brodman Gentile, he owned and operated Danny’s Tavern on Glenwood Avenue from 1960 into the early 1970s.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada, golfing with his friends and family, and watercolor painting. He was an active member of Struthers Ohio VFW Post 3538 and was a lifelong Catholic, regularly attending Mass at St. Michael Church in Canfield.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on Aug. 7, 2006; his mother and father; four brothers, James, Frank, Larry and William; and seven sisters, Mary, Daisy, Violet, Madeline, Angela, Lillian and Anita.

He is survived by his grandson, Daniel J. Sarich of Page, Arizona, with whom he resided in the later years of his life; a great-granddaughter, Taylor H. Sarich of Fairfax, Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews, including John Kology of Struthers, Dr. Richard Gentile of Poland and James Gentile Jr. of Naples, Florida.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 9-11 a.m. at the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring St., Struthers. Following calling hours, a procession will leave the funeral home for a committal service at 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Lowellville, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife. 

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences with the family.