Zachary D. D'Amico

Zachary D. D’Amico, of Irwin, passed away Monday, April 13, 2026, due to injuries sustained in a car accident.  He was 36.  He was born March 8, 1990 in Jeannette, a son of David and Alicia D’Amico.  Zack graduated from Yough High School, Class of 2008.  He became a US Marine and graduated from 3rd Battalion MCRD Parris Island, SC, where he also served as platoon leader.  Zack was a heavy equipment operator by trade with Local Union 66.  He mainly ran an excavator, but various other equipment as well.  He was a member of Herminie #2 Game Association and the Westmoreland County Bee Association.  He was active with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, STOUT PGH of Monroeville.  He was a Blue Belt, with one stripe.  Zack was an avid body builder, working out daily and challenging himself with a 75 HARD (carrying his “pet rock” Dwayne).  Zack became a runner in his 30’s to include the Pittsburgh Marathon, 26.2 miles, which he ran with his brother, Ben.  He loved the outdoors, even trying his hand at fly fishing.  He and Shaina took several hikes in West Virginia, Virginia, and many parks in Pennsylvania, with their beloved dogs, Gunner and Meela.  Zack most recently enjoyed finding shark teeth at Top Sail Beach, NC while on vacation with his family.  During Zack’s time pipelining, in various states, Zack enjoyed living in their Montana 5th wheel.  They even pulled that RV all the way to the Florida Keys!  Zack married Shaina (Gongaware) in Oahu, Hawaii on September 10, 2013.   They welcomed their bright star, a son, Valentino, born November, 17, 2021…their miracle baby.  Zack is lovingly remembered by his wife, Shaina and son Valentino; his parents, David and Alicia D’Amico of West Newton; brother and best friend, Ben (Cierra Hoover) of Irwin; maternal grandmother, Marlene Hemphill of Smithton; maternal grandfather, Wayne A, Sterner of Fort Shaw, Montana; mother-in-law, Joni Rain of Madison; father-in-law, Bruce Gongaware and wife, Cyndi of West Newton; brothers-in-law, David Cochran (Alyssa Scott) and daughter, Hadley; and John and Ivana Cochran, son, Viktor; along with several aunts, uncles, and cousins who will miss him terribly.  Zack was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Jo and Albert D’Amico; maternal grandfather, Hebert Hemphill; maternal grandmother, Edna Sterner; and cousin, Richard Gallelli, Jr.  Friends will be received 2-4 & 6-8 pm Friday at the J. William McCauley, Jr. Funeral Home, 901 Vine St., West Newton, where a Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10 am Saturday.  Interment will follow in West Newton Cemetery.  Condolences may be left at http://www.mccauleyfuneralhome.com.

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