Carmine "Deanie" Cerra, 90, of Greenfield Township, PA, died Thursday evening, May 2, 2024 at the Carbondale Nursing Center, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Anne M. Falbo on April 13, 2020. They were married on November 7, 1953.

Born July 16, 1933 in Carbondale, PA, he was the last surviving child of Charles and Rose Adams Cerra.

Deanie was a 1951 graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale, and honorably served as a paratrooper with the 503rd Army Airborne Infantry Regiment. During his service in the Army, he played baseball along with another Carbondale resident, the late Joe Granville. Deanie started his career with Gasperini Trucking and the Gillen Coal Company working as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator at the Carbondale West Side stripping's and mine fire. He retired from Lapera Oil Company, Carbondale, where he delivered oil to homes and businesses for 40 years.

Deanie was a faithful member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale, where he served as an usher. He was a charter member of the Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, where he served as a past fire chief for 17 years, ambulance captain, member of its building committee and a member and former chairman of the fire company's board of directors. In all, he dedicated 58 years of service to the fire company and the residents of the township.

He was also a former president of the Fireman's Relief Organization and a board member of the American Red Cross Forest City/Carbondale Chapter where he was a 20-gallon donor. Deanie was a member of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee and was instrumental in obtaining the Cerra-Leo Memorial located at the park.

He was a very active person who could be frequently seen walking three miles a day up and down Route 106. He enjoyed cutting his lawn and the lawns of all his neighbors. Deanie was also proud that he coached all his daughters Miss C softball teams.

He is survived by three daughters: Diane Guzzi of Lewes, DE, Phyliss Paone and husband, Robert of Archbald, PA, and Deana Cortino and husband, Michael of Collegeville, PA; seven grandchildren: Chris Paone and wife, Casey, Tiffany Guzzi, Heather Loomis and husband, Brandon, Brett Guzzi and wife, Monique, Brianna Hummel and husband, Michael, Madison Cortino and Ava Cortino; nine great-grandchildren including, Deanie, Jr., who was his sidekick; a brother-in-law: Vince Tolerico of Carbondale; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by three brothers: Joseph Cerra and wife, Grace, Mickey Cerra and wife, Barbara, Thomas Cerra and wife, Kay; and two sisters: Marie Lapera and husband, Sam, and Cecilia Tolerico.

The funeral was held Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 89 Farview Street, Carbondale, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 15 Fallbrook Street, Carbondale, PA, celebrated by Rev. Seth Wasnock, pastor. Interment with military and fireman's honors followed at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Greenfield Township, PA.

Pallbearers: Gary Allen, Kevin Clum, John Kurilla, Edward Lubash, Charles Lubash, Kyle Durko, Alan Rudalavage, Thomas Drennan and John Apostolakes all members of the Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company.

Viewing hours were held Monday, May 6, 2024 from 4-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were sent to the Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, 424 Route 106, Greenfield Township, PA 18407