Clayton J. Bossart

Clayton J. Bossart, age 94, departed this life on May 8, 2025. He was born Dec. 4, 1930, in Madison, Wisconsin. A Chemical Engineer by education (U.W.), but self-described as a "gadgeteer," he retired from Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) Instrument Division. The author of several patents and technical papers in the field of analytical instrumentation, he held many offices in the Instrument Society of America (ISA) including Director of the Analysis Instrumentation Division. He received the ISA Excellence in Documentation award in 1969 and was selected as a Fellow of the Society in 1982. Active in the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years, he served in several roles in the Degree work of the Order, as Grand Knight, District Deputy, and several offices of the Pittsburgh Chapter. Actively involved in the K of C Bishop's Project for Exceptional Children since 1960, he served as treasurer for more than 25 years, and as Bishop (now Cardinal) Wuerl's appointee to head the annual Christmas Seals program for another 5 years, after which he continued to serve on the advisory board. He also served on the Board of St. Anthony’s School Programs for Exceptional Children. He and his wife Rita were active at the Monroeville Senior Citizens Center where he served as Treasurer of the Mid-Century Club for several years. A member of St. Bernadette (now part of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish), his service at various times included (but was not limited to) parish council, historian, lector, usher, sacristan, Lazarus choir, diocesan pledge drive chairman and altar server. He was a Eucharistic lay minister at St. Bernadette and at Forbes Regional Hospital. He was honored by the Diocese of Pittsburgh for his service with the “Manifesting the Kingdom” award in 2011. Preceded in death by his beloved first wife Jean, his beloved second wife Rita, beloved companion Lois Lewis, and grandson Jacob Loperfito, he is survived by four daughters: Susan (Randall) Stoddard of Blawnox, Diane (Charles) Bickert of Pittsburgh, Ann (Donald) Loperfito of Plum, and Cathy (Thomas) Altmeyer of Mount Lebanon and by two sons: Steven (Gail) of Morgantown, WV and David (Judith) of Pittsburgh. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: James Ferchak, Melissa Loperfito Best, Amanda Loperfito, Matthew Stoddard, Mary Ferchak, Timothy Stoddard, Emma Altmeyer, and Greta Altmeyer, as well as by seven great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at the GENE H. CORL FUNERAL CHAPEL INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES OF MONROEVILLE, 4335 Northern Pike (412-372-2100) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 10 am at St. Bernadette Church, 245 Azalea Dr., Monroeville, followed by interment at Good Shepherd Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the K of C Bishop's Project.