Earl J. Doria

Earl J. Doria, 99, of Washington, died Tuesday, February 28, 2012, in the Washington County Health Center. He was born February 17, 1913, in Marianna, a son of George and Mary Martinelli Doria. Mr. Doria was a graduate of Washington High School. In the 1930’s he went into the Army’s Civil Conservation Corps, (C.C.C.), which was an army of civilians who cleared forests and built roads and dams. Mr. Doria could fix, wire, or build anything. He built his first house, helped build his brothers’ houses, and later built a playhouse for two of his daughters. He was a self-employed electrician and formerly worked at Hazel Atlas, Ward Electric, and Tri-State Supply. Mr. Doria was a member of Fairhill Manor Christian Church, where he served as Elder Emeritus, and was a volunteer Choir Director for fourteen years. He loved music and was a member of various big bands over the years, playing the clarinet and saxophone; was a former member of the Musician’s Union; and a former Kiwanis member. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Earl” by his many friends. Mr. Doria was first married to Wodea Jacobs, who died in 1963. On December 19, 1964, he married Phyllis Ashbaugh, who survives. Also surviving are a son, Robert (Marian) Doria, of Ridgewood, NJ; four daughters, Judy (James) Wheeler, of Washington, Mary Ellen (Carl) Grebner, of Library, Amy Doria, of Washington, and Julie (Mark) Helbling, of Bellvue; and a sister, Lillian Standiford, of Washington; 12 grandchildren, Rob (Helen) Wheeler, Beth Wheeler, Cynthia (John) Greenwood, Michael Stock, Kristen Stock, Bob Doria, Jr. (Terry), Elizabeth (John) Powers, Karen Doria, Abigail Neal, Sammy, Charlie and Josie Helbling; 6 great grandchildren, Emily and Jimmy Morgan, Taylor Wheeler, and Johnny, Chris, and Mary Powers. Deceased are 5 brothers, August, Carl and Alfred Caltuna, and George and Todd Doria; and 4 sisters, Rose Menegus, Lena Pietkiewicz, Louise Pearce, and Mary Doria. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. Additional visitation will be held 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., the hour of service, Saturday, March 3, 2012, in Fairhill Manor Christian Church, with the Rev. Michael Lehman, Pastor Gary Gibson, Rev. Reynolds Lewis, and Rev. Patricia Donahoe officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Fairhill Manor Christian Church Choir, 351 Montgomery Avenue, Washington, PA 15301; Hospice Care of the Washington Hospital, 155 Wilson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301; or Washington Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 66, Eighty-Four, PA 15330.