Arthur Berardi

Arthur Berardi, 78, of Conneaut Lake, died Monday, April 23, 2001 at Meadville Medical Center.

He was born April 15, 1923 in Corapolis, a son of the late Basil and Maria Mele Berardi.  He married Mildred Granilo Knezo December 2, 1980 and she survives.

He was a 1941 graduate of Moon Township High School.  He was a US Army Veteran of WWII serving from January 12, 1943 to October 1, 1945.  He served with the 5th General Hospital, Harvard University Medical Unit as a medic in the European Theatre of Operations.  He was a 1946 graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and subsequently worked as a State Policeman from May 1, 1946 to May 23, 1974, retiring as Sergeant.  He served as police commissioner for the city o Pottsville, Schuykill County from October 1, 1975 to January 1, 1979.  He then was appointed by Major Louis Tullio as Director of Police Operations for the city of Erie and served from January 14, 1984 until his retirement January 1, 1989.

He was President of the Pennsylvania Assn of Retired State Police in 1998 and current President of the Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter of Retired State Police since 1991.  He was a member of the American Scoiety of Criminology, American Federation of Police, International Assn. of Chiefs of Police and Charter member of the Fraternal Order of Police.  He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Catholic War Veterans, Meadville Elks Lodge 219 and the Italian Civic Club, Meadville.

He was a member of Our Lady Queen of the Americas Roman Catholic Church.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 20 years, include a step-son, Jack Knezo (Barbara) of Coatesville; two step-Karen Knezo of St. Petersburg, FL and Janice Stramara (Jason) of Auburn, PA; three step-grandchildren, Jason, Zachary and Elise Knezo; two sisters, Gilda Pitaro (Eugene) of South Heights, PA and Emma Lacenere (Ray) of Mary Esther, FL; and three brothers, Angelo Berardi (Becky), Enrico Berardi (Isabelle) and Alfred Berardi, all of Coraopolis.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Josephine Berardi.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Our Lady Queen of the America Cemetery.