James W. Guest – Canonsburg
James “Jim” W. Guest, 87, of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, in Paramount Senior Living in McMurray. He was born on Aug. 23, 1931, in Charleroi, to James Harry and Pauline May Ermlich Guest, who preceded him in death. On June 23, 1951, in Charleroi, he married his high school sweetheart, Juanita Joanne Waddell, who passed away on Aug. 20, 2014. James was a 1950 graduate of Charleroi High School. After graduating high school, he went to work at H&B Chevrolet in Charleroi. From 1957 until 1963, he and his brother Ronald owned and operated Guest’s Sunoco in McMurray. He was then employed at Town and Country Cars in Washington as a mechanic. Eventually he went to work as a steel fabricator with Piatt Machine in Washington, where he retired as a shop foreman in 1996. Mr. Guest was a 50-plus year member of the Bears Club of Meadowlands. He was also a social member of the VFW Post 553 in Strabane for many years. James enjoyed gardening and every year had a large garden to tend to. He and his wife would can the bounty from the garden. During the late 50s and 60s, James raced go carts for the Kiwanis Club. He was very handy and could always fix anything that needed fixed at home. Since childhood, he and his family enjoyed weekends and vacations at the family cottage on Chautauqua Lake, in New York. James loved boating and fishing for muskies on the lake and just relaxing being with his family. He is survived by his children: James R. Guest, who resided with him in Canonsburg, Cynthia A. Derrico (Jeffrey) also of Canonsburg, and Kenneth L. Guest (Jill) of Washington; his brother, Ronald (Judy) Guest of Canonsburg; his four grandchildren, Justin Derrico, Jenna Derrico (Phil Rhein), Britni (Mark) Hunkele and Brogan Guest; two great-grandchildren, Henry and Charles Hunkele; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at SALANDRA FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., Joseph P. Salandra, LFD, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike St., Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where a celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, with Darla A. Tripoli, LFD and certified celebrant officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, 3739 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317. To view or leave condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.
