Gail E. Cobb, 88, of Warren, PA died Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Golden LivingCenter – Kinzua, in Warren, PA. Gail was born on December 24, 1924 in Warren, PA and was the son of the late George M. and Myrtle Rogers Cobb. He graduated from Warren High School in 1942 and in 1943 he began his two and a half years of service with the U. S. Army during World War II, serving one and a half years in the European Theatre. In 1950 Gail graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and continued evening studies at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. While there he worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., later the National Lead Co. In 1954 he bought Simonsen Wallpaper and Paint, later changing the name to Cobb’s Wallpaper and Paint, Inc., which he owned for over 45 years. Gail truly enjoyed and appreciated his customers. Gail was a member of First Lutheran Church in Warren where he served on the church council for two terms. He was a Sunday school teacher and served as Sunday school superintendent. He also served on various church committees including the educational and new church building committees. Gail was a AAA board member for over 43 years and also past president. He was on the boards of the Warren Jaycees, Warren Chamber of Commerce, Higher Education, Friends of Library Theatre, and involved in establishing the VoTech school as well as other community activities. Gail was also a member of North Star Lodge #241 F. and A.M. of Warren, the Coudersport Consistory, Jaffa Shrine, Warren Moose Lodge #109 and Warren Elks Lodge #223. Gail is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Simonsen Cobb, whom he married on December 21, 1946 in the First Lutheran Church, of Warren, PA, a daughter, Diane (Dick) Smith of Warren, PA, two sons, William (Celia Knapp) Cobb of Warren, PA and Dr. David (Sue) Cobb of Greensburg, PA, three grandsons, Jonathan (Whitney) Cobb, Eric (Aleshia) Smith and Patrick Smith (fiancé, Abby), nephews Jim, Jeffrey, Mark and Alan Torrance, and first cousins Dorothy Smith and Mary Schorman. In addition to his parents, Gail was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeffrey David Cobb, a sister, Audrey Torrance and her husband, Jim, and a nephew, Jon Torrance. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service to be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 27, 2013 at the First Lutheran Church, Warren, PA with the Reverend David Blank, Pastor, officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Pine Grove Cemetery, Russell, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Gail’s memory may be made to the First Lutheran Church Building Fund, East and Third Ave., Warren, PA 16365. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East St., Warren, PA. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Dear Family,
To each of you, please accept my heart-felt sympathy.
A gentler, more kind, and more pleasant gentleman never lived.
I have always been proud to call Gail both Brother and friend.
Sincerely,
Paul O. Walker
Going to Uncle Gail and Aunt Ruth’s house was always one of the highlights of visiting family in Warren as a child. Or sometimes Dad, Mark, Chris and I would stop by the paint store to visit. Wasn’t he in the parade too? In more recent years visiting with my young, growing family Gail was always excited to see us and meet new additions to our extended family. He would always greet us at the door with that big smile and warm welcome. He always had great stories and there were many lessons learned. He always found something for us to do, like play ping pong or card games. He was a fellow car guy too. He knew I studied the car magazines as a pre-teen and made me feel like he valued my opinion about the new Cadillac coming out or if Lincoln would ever catch up. He obviously was very involved in the community and made an impact on everyone around him. Gail, thank you for being the definition of a “Great” Uncle. You will be missed and never forgotten.
Ben Torrance
Rochester, NH
Thinking of you all. Gail was a special man, one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I think I’ve ever met. He welcomed me with open arms when Jon and I married and always made a point of coming to see us when we were visiting Audrey and Jim. He will be missed by so many……much love to all the family,
Cathy Torrance
Hampon, NH
To Ruth, Bill, Dave and Diane,
My most sincere condolences for your loss. Gail’s ever-present smile and gentle manner will surely be missed. May he rest in peace.