Patrick “Pat” Joseph Gaia, 73


Youngstown – Patrick “Pat” Joseph Gaia passed away at The Cleveland Clinic on Friday, January 8 with his loving family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Pat was born on March 20, 1942 in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., to Rose (Santore) and Camillo Gaia. His family later moved to the East Side of Youngstown in 1957. Pat was a 1960 graduate of East High School. He continued his education at Youngstown State University earning his BS in Education in 1967 and his MS in Education in 1972. He was a member of Alpha Phi Delta fraternity. Pat began his teaching career in the Warren Township Schools as a classroom instructor, also, coaching both football and junior high basketball for 13 years. After earning his master’s degree, he was assigned as an administrator in the LaBrae Schools until his retirement in 2002. He then served as an administrator in the Youngstown City School District for nine years. Pat’s respect for education was evident in his passion to be a lifelong learner and serve as a support for many students. Pat was an avid fan of all things Pittsburgh, especially the Pittsburgh Pirates. His love of baseball was apparent as he worked local sandlot baseball games for over twenty years. He was selected to work the prestigious Connie Mack and NABF post season tournaments. He was inducted into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame in May, 2015. Pat was always available to lend a helping hand, especially at The Arco Field, where his children grew up playing on Little League teams. Pat is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Mary Ann (Gemma) whom he married in May of 1962; three children, Patrick (Michelle), Bob (Melissa Clavin), and Tracie (Ken) Knauf; three grandchildren, Gemma and Justin Knauf, and Patrick Joseph (P.J.) Gaia III; and two brothers, Camillo and Larry (Cheryl) Gaia. Pat loved being “Papa” to his three grandchildren. His proudest moments were watching them succeed in school and athletics. He supported them by attending events whenever he could. Besides his parents, Pat was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard and Jack. Family and friends will be received from 9 to 11 a.m.on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at St. Angela Merici Church, formerly Sacred Heart, 400 Lincoln Park Drive, where Pat was a lifelong member. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. presided by the Rev. Kevin Peters. The family would like to recognize the excellent and kind care given to Pat by the staff of The Cleveland Clinic, especially Tara Plues, nurse practitioner, Dr. Stevenson and Dr. Stephans. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests monetary contributions be made to the family. Family and friends may visit the Book of Memories at www.rossifunerals.com to view this tribute and send condolences to Pat’s family.