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Michael A. D'Errico Obituary

Brought to you by Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

Michael A. D'Errico

New Castle, PA

February 15, 1920 - September 20, 2014

Michael A. D'Errico Obituary

People traveled from across the tri-state region and as far as New York and Southern states, to obtain the unique highly detailed workmanship of noted sheet metal artisan and master craftsman, Michael A. D’Errico, of New Castle, PA. No area individual has yet to match his incomparable skills in fabricating customized works of stainless steel, copper, bronze, aluminum and other metals. “His hands were gifted and he possessed the incredible ability to look at a structure or custom work and flawlessly craft anything, often without even taking a measurement,” marveled his daughter and only child, Ida M. D’Errico-Hrehocik. “Everyone was always amazed at his unbelievable talents. They were almost magical. He was truly a remarkable man in so many ways.” From massive crosses of glistening copper and other metals still shining atop the steeples of many regional churches, to an entire Ohio-church roof comprised of three miles of stainless steel, there was nothing D’Errico could not fabricate. His many works outlasted some of their structures. Even George Zambelli Sr. of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale utilized D’Errico’s skills to hand-craft stainless steel tubes used to launch fireworks shells for his many productions across the country and around the world. All who met him consistently praised him for his strong work ethic, pleasant humble personality, kind heart, high integrity and magnificent overwhelming talents.


Michael A. D’Errico passed away on Saturday, September 20 in Jameson Hospital, New Castle, PA. He was 94.


D’Errico’s many areas of precise expertise also included roofing, heating, air conditioning and plumbing installation. His roofs were so meticulous and of the highest quality and workmanship that they are known to last for decades, many for more than 40 years.


Just one example of D’Errico’s impressive workmanship is publicly showcased in New Castle’s “Lady Liberty”. The replica smaller statue was presented to Mayor Edward DeCarbo and the City by the Boy Scouts of America in the 1950s. It had been refurbished in the 1970s, but had deteriorated badly by 2001. “Matthews International of Pittsburgh was not interested in making the necessary repairs. There was only one individual with the expertise to properly restore “Lady Liberty” to her original condition—Mike D’Errico” said Don DeCarbo, of Ed and Don DeCarbo Funeral Home. “Mike inspected the bronze Statue and with a slight grin, expressed that he could handle the job. He brought the statue to his workshop and performed a remarkable and outstanding restoration of New Castle’s Statue of Liberty. Today, the Statue stands proudly and is admired by all passing by the corners of Grove and Mill Streets.”


Sheet metal artistry came naturally to D’Errico who began working with metals at the young age of 10. He continued his creative work for the next 80 years. His valuable unique skills, which included auto

mechanics, were quickly recognized and put to much needed use by the United States Army during World War II. He entered the service in New Cumberland, PA at age 22 on February 25, 1942. He was transferred to Angel Island located off the coast of San Francisco, and then dispatched to Schofield Barracks, Honolulu. Although military promotions were difficult to come by, D’Errico was quickly appointed to the rank of Staff Sargent. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. In addition to Hawaii, he served in the Guadalcanal and Northern Solomons campaigns and was also stationed in Japan and Fort Knox, KY until his Honorable Discharge on October 6, 1945. His honors include an Asiatic Pacific Services Medal with two Bronze Stars, Combat Infantry Badge and Good conduct Medal. He contracted typhoid fever and had a bullet graze his helmet while seeking cover in a fox hole in Japan, among other highly dangerous close calls.


Shortly following his discharge, his sheet metal skills attracted the interest of an aircraft manufacturer located in California. Instead, D’Errico elected to return to his native New Castle and work in the family business –D’Errico and Sons Heating, Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc., established in 1920 by patriarch Joseph D’Errico, an immigrant from Southern Italy.


D’Errico met Lucy Delores Pratt of Ellwood City, PA while installing a roof on her family home. They were married on September 5, 1953 and had one child, his pride and joy, Ida Maria.


Michael D’Errico was one of 15 children and was preceded in death by his wife Lucy (Pratt), parents Joseph and Mary (Straw); sisters Rachel (Heasley), Christine (Pascoe), Stella (Natale) and brothers Joseph, Carl, twins Paul and Patsy, twin infant John (Jenny) and one infant deceased at birth. He is survived by his daughter and only child Ida Maria D’Errico-Hrehocik (George ) of Pittsburgh, sisters Lucy Musolino (Joseph), Helen Ross (Leonard-deceased) of New Castle and Jenny Tomeo (Nick) of Cincinnati, OH; brother Louis (Tammy) of New Castle and many nieces and nephews. He was a member of St. Vitus Church.


Family and friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 25 at Ed and Don DeCarbo Funeral Home, Wilmington Road, New Castle. A procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. for a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 26 at St. Vitus Church. Father William Siple will officiate. The interment will follow at St. Vitus Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the New Castle Area Honor Guard on Friday at the cemetery.

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