Edward J. Gernat

Edward J. Gernat, age 96, passed away quietly at the home of his son Mark Gernat, in Georgia,

on June 25th, 2025. He was a former resident of Natrona Heights PA (Fawn Township) until July of 2022 and parishioner of Guardian Angels Catholic Parish in Natrona Heights, PA.

Edward (Ed) was born in May of 1929, to his parents Mary Murar Gernat and Peter Gernat living in West Tarentum, PA during his early life. He enjoyed the many freedoms of childhood while living there and participated in a group that raced pigeons.

Ed was a 1948 graduate of Tarentum High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He worked at Pittsburgh Plate Glass and retired from HJ Heinz after 33 years of service as a Millwright.

Ed and his wife of 63 years, Edith (Edie) Pobicki Gernat, married and raised a family of 5 children in the towns of Brackenridge, PA and Natrona Height, PA (Fawn Township). He was an avid researcher of his family history before Ancestry became available online. He and his wife traveled many times to Slovakia and around the United States meeting and visiting with relatives he had connected with. They also enjoyed their travel to many countries around the globe, as well as travels with his family and friends.

He was a lifetime member of the Brackenridge Pioneer Hose Fire Company, a member of the VFW and Slovak Club in Creighton, PA where he enjoyed meeting friends and playing Euchre up until the time of his move to Georgia. He was a little league baseball coach, treasurer for the local Boy Scouts when his sons were young. He also enjoyed beekeeping, gardening, building things and always tinkering in his garage or shed making or fixing things. He will be missed.

Ed is predeceased by his parents, his wife Edie (2015), son Regis (two days old), sister Elizabeth (Betty) Gernat Bresuciak, and sister Mildred Gernat.

He is survived by his daughter Sherry L. Gernat (James) Murphy of DE, son Mark A. Gernat of GA, Christopher J. (Natalia Rusak) of NJ, daughter Jennifer L. Gernat of DE and Leslie A. Collier of FL as well as his 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 25, 9 AM until the blessing service at 10 AM in Duster Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 347 E 10th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Burial will be private in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Twp., where he will be laid to rest with his wife Edie and son Regis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eureka Hose Ambulance Services 304 E 3rd Ave. Tarentum, PA 15084; a local beekeeping organization; or the American Slovak Protective Society 735 Creighton, PA 15030. Funeral masses in his name would be appreciated. VISIT:dusterfh.com