Richard "Rick" C. DeMeo

Devoted follower of Jesus, Rick DeMeo, 66, of Canonsburg, PA, passed away on March 31, 2023. Rick's strong faith in Jesus Christ radiated to all those around him wherever he went. His deep humility, constant sacrificial love, and heart to serve were evident in everything he was a part of. His love for his wife and family was unmatched. Some of his favorite things to do were to spend time with his wife, sons, be “pappap” to his three grandchildren, coach baseball, be in nature, serve at church and fly his drones.

Rick was born on August 15, 1956, in Pittsburgh, PA, to the late Catherine (Gallo) DeMeo-Bildhauser and Charles Francis DeMeo. He graduated from Baldwin Whitehall High School and received his Business Management degree from West Liberty University, where he was on the baseball & bowling teams. He met his wife, Denise, at West Liberty, and they were later married on June 21,1980. He had recently retired after 43 years of owning and operating Unique School Sales, a local school fundraising company.

He is survived by his wife, Denise, children, Jason (Hillary) and Jonathan (Elaine), grandchildren, Jameson, Eliana, Samuel, his sister Carol (Richard) Innamorato, and many nieces and nephews.

Married for 42 years, Rick and his wife truly loved one another through sickness and health. Rick battled the rare disease, ALS, for five years, never giving up hope along the way. He never complained, was committed to prayer, and always asked how others were doing even on his worst days. While the disease may have tried to rob him of his joy, it never did. One of his wishes was that after his death, his body would help further research to find a cure for this disease. Through the University of Pittsburgh, they are now studying his brain tissue along with other organs to help fight the cause. His life of service will continue on even after death.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Massart, Dr. Newitt, Dr. Ala-ham, Bethany Hospice, Home Instead Care, and the many doctors and caregivers that served throughout this journey.

Isaiah 40:31

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

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Visitation details:

April 4, 2023: Central Assembly of God Church, in Houston, PA from 3:30-5:30 PM and 6:30-8:30 PM.

Funeral service details:

April 5, 2023: Central Assembly of God Church, in Houston, PA at 10:00 AM, immediately followed by a committal at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in McMurray, PA.

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The family requests that donations be made to the following:

Bethany Hospice: https://www.bethanyhospice.com/donate

Bethany Hospice helped take care of Rick for the last year in his home. Their kindness and care was unmatched.

University of Pittsburgh Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine (PACCM):

Online: http://giveto.pitt.edu/paccm, include Richard in the "in memory of" section.

Check: Mail to: Division of PAE, Suite 8084 Forbes Tower, 3600 Forbes and Meyran Avenues, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Please make check payable to University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and denote 2303PACCMHOM and Richard DeMeo in the notes.

Dr. Newitt and her team are breaking through barriers when it comes to respiratory health and sleep science. She and her team took incredible care of Rick at each step of this journey. This fund is supporting the development of a center of excellence to provide comprehensive pulmonary and sleep care to patients with neuromuscular disease.

Central Assembly of God: https://centralconnect.org/give

Central has always played a critical role in the lives of the DeMeo’s as their home church and support system since the 90’s. They consider it not just a church, but a family.