G.T.C.C.V.O.

Vincent Taliani, 89, of West Deer Township, died peacefully Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at his residence with his family by his side. Vince was a 1947 graduate of West Deer High School. He was a lifelong resident of the area. “Barrel”, as he was known to his friends, had an extensive military career. He served his country in the Navy during World War II in the Navy Seabees. He was awarded the Pacific-Asiatic Campaign and the World War II Victory Medals. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force as an airman and was stationed at the Ramstein AFB in Germany. He then joined the Army Reserves and retired after 35 years having attained the rank of chief warrant officer four (CW4). He earned the confidence and respect of all those who served with him. In his civilian career, Vince worked for Gulf Research in Harmarville where he was a lead lab analyst for 25 years. He also worked at Allegheny Ludlum and Scaife Equipment. He was a member Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, Russellton, and was a former Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus JFK Council 5501. Vince was a lifetime member of the Pioneer Hose Volunteer Fire Company in Brackenridge. He played minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Athletics in the Virginia-Carolina League. He was a deputy warden in the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Vince also spent a lifetime involved in local athletics as a player, coach and official. He was a founding member of the Upper AK Valley and Northern Allegheny Baseball and Softball Chapter, a PIAA official in the sports of softball, baseball, volleyball and swimming for more than 50 years. He was a player and assistant coach for the state champion West Deer American Legion baseball team. More recently, Nanu was a fixture in the dugout of the Deer Lakes Girls High School Softball team. Vince enjoyed watching all the Pittsburgh Sports teams with his family, gardening, fishing, hunting. Above all, he loved his family, especially his grandchildren and attending all their activities. Mark and Craig would like to thank Dr. Vasil, the staffs of Heritage Hospice, Care at Home and especially his niece, Rita Dembaugh, for the care they provided to their father. Survivors include his two sons, Mark V. (the late Cindy) Taliani, of West Deer Township, and Craig L. (Lisa) Taliana, of West Deer Township; and grandchildren, Anthony V. (Cathy) Taliana, of Columbus, Ohio, Wesley M. (Ali), of Edinboro, Maria R. and Katrina I. Taliani, both of West Deer Township. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Irene “Renee” Taliani; and seven brothers and sisters, Josephine Hutcheson, Eva, Marie, Ronald, Frank, Lou and John Taliani.
Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, in the SIWICKI-YANICKO FUNERAL HOME, 23 McKrell Road, Russellton, West Deer Township, where parting prayers will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, with a Catholic funeral Mass following in Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. James P. Holland officiating. He will be laid to rest next to his wife, Renee, in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Township, with full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus JFK Council 5501, 144 Deer Creek Road, Russellton, PA 15076. View obituary online and leave condolences at www.siwicki-yanickofh.com.