Larry DeVincentis, 79, 0f Monaca, wonderful husband, best father, grandfather and true friend to so many, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2016, surrounded by his loving family, while under the compassionate care of the staff of Heritage Valley Beaver’s Intensive Care Unit.

Larry was born on August 1, 1936, in Monaca, a son of the late Flavio and Modesta (Cenci) DeVincentis. He was a graduate of Monaca High School, Class of 1955, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He attended Greenbrier Military School in White Sulfur Springs, WV, before attending college with a full scholarship playing football for the Cincinnati Bearcats in Cincinnati, OH; where he was ranked fourth best punter in the nation.

On March 6, 1959, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Ann Davis.

Larry worked at Colonial Steel for 10 years and Nova Chemical for 25 years. After his retirement, Larry continued to stay active by working for the Beaver County Courthouse. He coached Monaca Jr. High football and Monaca Midget Football for a combined 25 years, where he left his players with a wealth of knowledge, not only about football, but more importantly life itself. Larry was inducted into the Monaca Hall of Fame and was chosen as Monaca’s Finest Football Player. He was a member of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Monaca, Monaca Sportsman’s Club, Monaca Turners, Monaca Sokol Club and Monaca PNA.

Throughout his life, Larry enjoyed many sports and activities, which included playing softball, bowling and golfing, as well as playing Scrabble and doing crossword puzzles. His favorite activity was following all his grandchildren to any sporting event in which they participated. During his retirement years Larry enjoyed planting and tending to his garden, going to camp in Tionesta and enjoying many family Sunday dinners filled with stories of the past that always ended in much laughter. Larry truly loved sports, but the most important people in his life were his family.

In addition to his parents Larry was preceded in death by a sister, Aquilina Harris and a brother, Anthony DeVincentis.

Larry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Ann (Davis) DeVincentis; a daughter, Tracy (Richard) Schultz of Monaca; a son, Larry (Katrina) DeVincentis of Center Township; seven grandchildren, Lindsay (Sam) Cercone, Ricky Schultz, Skyler Schultz, Brandon Schultz, Theresa DeVincentis and Cameron DeVincentis; four great-grandchildren, Italia, Sammy and Chase Cercone and Kendall Schultz; a brother-in-law, Dale Harris and a sister-in-law, Hilda Weaver, as well as many special nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca, where parting prayers will be offered Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca.

Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

“Our family will always appreciate and remember how he never spoke a bad word about anyone; how he always found the good in people…let that be an inspiration to us all.”

To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.