Roger B. McDavitt

Roger B. McDavitt, age 93, of North Fayette Township, Oakdale, PA, formerly of Whitehall Borough, passed away on Tuesday evening, January 21, 2025.  Roger was born in Hollywood, CA, on September 13, 1931, son to the late Mary H. (Dillard McDavitt) Bowker and George W. McDavitt.  He is survived by his wife, Frances (Sevart) Begly; daughters, Sharon (Jim) Nemes and Laura Cleary; grandson, Louis (Natalie) McDavitt; great-granddaughter, Lana McDavitt; step-great-grandsons, Jackson and Aiden; and sister-in-law, Suzanne Farkas.  Roger also leaves behind half-siblings, Don McDavitt, George McDavitt, and Marylen (Bowker) Melton.  Along with his parents, Roger is preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy (Whalen) McDavitt, stepfather, Albert H. Bowker, grandmother, Ethel (Ortman) Dillard, who raised him, and half-sister, Anne-Marie McDavitt.

Roger grew up a Navy brat during WWII, living on both coasts wherever his stepfather was posted, with his favorite posting being Coronado, CA.  He graduated in 1950 from Cotter High School in Cotter, AR.  A proud U.S. Air Force veteran (1951-1955), Roger was assigned to the Pentagon where he met and married Nancy Whalen, a Pittsburgh girl.  After leaving the service, he attended Embry-Riddle and became an aircraft mechanic for Capital Airlines in Florida.  Roger and Nancy then moved to Pittsburgh where he graduated from Robert Morris College.  He built a career with the U.S. Postal Service as a supervisor in the mail sort facility, retiring in 1990.

A man of many interests, Roger enjoyed learning about science, history, and current events.  He appreciated music, especially Bach and the Baroque era.  He also loved painting and enjoyed the works of Van Gogh.  Roger practiced martial arts and was an award-winning competitive ballroom dancer.  A member of various gyms, he was proud of his ability to leg press 400 lbs. at age 88.

Roger encouraged his daughters and grandson to participate in sports, proudly cheering them on at many swim meets, gymnastics meets, and basketball games.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Pines of Mount Lebanon and the loving and compassionate team from Gateway Hospice who made Roger’s final months the best they could be.  Rest in peace, Roger.

Family to receive friends on Monday, January 27, 2025, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at HERRICK COMPASSIONATE FUNERAL SERVICE, PC, Edward M. Herrick, Supervisor/Owner, 951 Cliff Mine Road, North Fayette Township, Imperial, PA, (724) 695-7332.  All are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial that will take place on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Archangel Gabriel Parish at Holy Trinity Church; everyone please meet at the church.  A Committal Service with Military Honors will take place immediately following mass at Jefferson Memorial Park.  It is respectfully requested that memorial donations in Roger’s name be sent to Gateway Hospice, 9380 McKnight Road, Arcadia Court Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.

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