Leo Ray Firestone

Leo Ray Firestone, 80, of Allegheny Township, passed away after a lengthy illness on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital in Aspinwall.

He was born in Mt. Pleasant, PA, on June 23, 1943, to his late parents, Leo J. Firestone and Pearle (Yarnell) Firestone.

Ray graduated from Hempfield High School in 1961 and Penn Technical Institute in 1963.  He was a resident of Allegheny Township for 52 years and married to his loving wife, Kathy (Kozubal) Firestone for 56 ½ years.  He also leaves behind two beloved children, Lisa Kay Lane of Shiloh, NC, and Leo Keith Firestone of Allegheny Township; a cherished grandson, Leo Michael Lane; and much loved grand dogs, Ralphie and Jax Firestone and Bessie Lane.  We love you beyond measure!

Ray was inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces in 1965 and served as a calibration instructor at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland until his discharge in 1967.  He was employed at Gulf Research and Development in Harmarville and other R&D companies as an Electronics Engineering Technician until his retirement in 2013.

Ray was an avid outdoorsman and naturalist.  He had a passion for hunting, fishing, nature photography, watching and caring for the animals and birds who came into the backyard, protecting the environment, and teaching his children and grandson and other young people to love and respect nature and its balance.  After retirement, he became an avid reader and could be seen with his book anywhere he might have a chance to sit down.  His best life was enjoying his camp in Jefferson County and sitting on his back porch reading his current book.  He also enjoyed scratch-off lottery tickets and when he was able, an occasional casino visit.

There will be a gathering from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. for family and all who shared a part of Ray’s life at the Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051.  Guests are asked to dress casually in keeping with Ray’s fashion statement.  Military honors will be conducted by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard following the memorial service.  Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of Ray to https://pawildlife.org; or www.wildlifeforeveryone.org; or https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org; or any charity of your choice. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leo Ray Firestone, please visit our floral store.