Frank David Szallay, 68, of Pittsburgh, died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. He was born on Sunday, June 13, 1954, in Brownsville, son of Frank John Szallay Jr. and Julia Dorothy Tompos Szallay. Frank graduated from California Area High School in 1972 and went to work in the Buckeye Coal Mine immediately after graduation. While working as a coal miner, he attended Penn State University and earned a degree in mining engineering. After earning his degree, he became a supervisor for Bethlehem Mines. When the mining industry slowed in the early 1980s, Frank returned to college and earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from California University of Pennsylvania. He spent the remainder of his working career as the business manager for several public school districts. He began his work in public schools at West Greene School District. He then continued as a business manager at Chartiers-Houston School District, McGuffey School District and retired from Millcreek Township School District in Erie. Frank was an avid cyclist for more than 40 years. He cycled approximately 750,000 miles in his lifetime. He also enjoyed cross country skiing, kayaking, hiking, jogging and weightlifting. Music was an important part of his daily life, and he listened to many genres of music with jazz being his favorite. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Suzanne Campbell; and his beloved service dog, Ella. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Wendy Vogt Szallay; daughter and son-in-law, Jodie and Eric Welser, of Pittsburgh; stepson Chris Rusmisel; granddaughters, Aubrey and Hallie Rusmisel of Claysville, Pa.; and sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Ralph Pepper of Levittown, Pa. Frank is also survived by Jodie’s mother; Natalie Santini; her two brothers, Adam and Paul Jack; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, supervisor, 323 Fourth St., California, Pa., from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday Dec. 18, 2022, and until 11 a.m. Monday, when funeral services will be held in the funeral home with the Rev. Dawn Hargraves officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Coal Center, Pa. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the non-profit “HELP ERIC WEBBER GET PA KIDS ON BIKES!” Checks can be made out to Can’d Aid with “Eric Webber” written in the memo line and sent to 20 Bowen St., Longmont, CO 80501. Additional information can be found at candaid.salsalabs.org.
