Obituary of Gregory Alan Ricketts

RICKETTS – Gregory Alan, 62, Ebensburg, passed away Jan. 2, 2010, at West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Born Aug. 25, 1947, in Philipsburg, son of the late Samuel E. and Frances E. Ricketts. He married Beverly Switzler on Feb. 28, 1975, and they have been best friends for 35 years. Survived by Beverly; and their son, Joshua, and his wife, Natalie, Frederick, Md.; granddaughter, Alexa Lynn; sister, Rebecca Bloom, wife of William Bloom; father-in-law, Fred Switzler, and his wife, Jeanne, Marquette, Mich.; sisters-in-law, Carol, wife of Francis Sartare, Washington, Pa.; Barbara, wife of Thomas Kimble, Bedford, Mass.; nieces, Renee (Vincent) Sacco, Lauren (Jason) Hathaway, Stephanie Lanoy and Emily Bloom; nephew, Adam Bloom; and great-nephews, Zach Thorpe, and Kaden and Karson Hathaway. He was a 1965 graduate of Central Cambria High School and a 1969 graduate of Lock Haven University. He was a physical education teacher for Northern Tioga School District in 1969-70, before returning to Ebensburg. He was a learning support teacher for Appalachia Intermediate Unit 08 and Central Cambria School District for 33 years. He was a coach of numerous baseball and basketball teams; PIAA basketball official; Loyal Duke fan; avid golfer and keeper of the tees at Ebensburg Country Club; and member of Ebensburg Presbyterian Church. Friends will be received from 2 to 4:30 and 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Askew-Houser Funeral Homes Inc., Ebensburg. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at Ebensburg Presbyterian Church, Pastor James Farrer, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Greg's memory may be made to Central Cambria Education Foundation or Ebensburg Public Library.