Lawrence “Lance” Joseph Moretti, 90, of Indiana, passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Indiana Regional Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

The son of Nazzareno and Limbania Campana Moretti, he was born November 18, 1925 in White Township.

Mr. Moretti was a lifetime resident of Indiana County and was employed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for 43 years and retired in 1987 as a Track Foreman. He also operated his own farm for over 40 years. At one time, he had as many as 70 head of beef.

He served in the active reserves of the National Guard during the Korean War. He was a member of the Ernest Church of the Resurrection. Mr. Moretti was also a lifetime member of the Railroad Workers Local 6 of the BMWE. He was a member of the Punxsutawney Eagles Club for many years as well.

Mr. Moretti (Lance to his family & friends) enjoyed polka dancing and music, farming, gardening and having the company of family and friends. He also enjoyed making wine in his home and did so, well into his eighties. Mr. Moretti had an exceptional singing voice and had once auditioned in Pittsburgh in the late 1940’s and came in first out of 50 contestants. He was even offered a contract, but wanted to remain in the area with his family. He could be heard by many area residents singing in the fields to pass the time while he farmed.

He also enjoyed many PBS programs including “The Lawrence Welk Show” and the “Danny O’Donnell Specials” and would often call family and friends to tell them who was performing. Mr. Moretti spent many a Saturday night laughing with his son over episodes of the British comedies “Are You Being Served” and “Keeping Up Appearances”.

He is survived by his son, Lawrence Lee Moretti, of Indiana; four step-children, David Speranza and wife Kathy of Clarksburg; Jeffrey Speranza, of Shelocta; Barbara Speranza, of Indiana; and Sherri Morgan and husband Donald of Kingsland, GA; Ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive him. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Louise Pacconi, of Indiana, his special friend, Mario Andrie and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Vincent, Raymond, William and Robert; Sisters Minnie Cerovich, Evelyn Starry and Leona Frech, as well as three infant siblings.

Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM Sunday, February 7th at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home, of Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM the next day at the Ernest Church of the Resurrection with the Rev. Tony Klimko, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to: WQED Multimedia, 4802 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, VNA Hospice, 850 Hospital Road, Suite 3000, Indiana, PA 15701 or to Four Footed Friends, 220 Beck Road Indiana, PA 15701.

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