Roland D. Forsythe, 64, of St. Petersburg, Pa., passed away at 5:45 a.m. Wednesday at UPMC-Presbyterian in Pittsburgh following a brief illness.

Born in Siegel on May 2, 1948, he was the son of the late Claude and Mildred Cox Forsythe.

He was a Protestant.

Roland worked as a drag-line operator for the former Lucas Coal Co. for many years and later was employed locally as a dry-wall contractor.

He enjoyed participating in karaoke at various events, gardening, spending time with the grandchildren and bike trail riding from five to 10 miles daily as health permitted.

Roland is survived by his wife, Louise Early Forsythe, who he married Sept. 23, 1967; one daughter, Sheila (Kevin) Long of St. Petersburg; two sons, Dale (Ann Marie) Forsythe of Emlenton and Vince (Carrie) Forsythe of St. Petersburg; 10 grandchildren; three sisters, Karen Schreckengost of Erie, Faye Best of New Bethlehem and Judy Myers of Newmansville; four brothers, Leonard (Jenny) Forsythe of Six Points, Larry (Joan) Forsythe of Rimersburg, Lonnie (Hope) Forsythe of Eau Claire and Rodney “Bruce” (Bobbi) Forsythe of Sligo; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Dorothy Ferrere, Sharon Forsythe, Bob Forsythe and an infant brother.

FORSYTHE — Friends of Roland D. Forsythe, who passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2012, may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home, 201 S. Washington St., Eau Claire. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.To view or to send condolences, flowers and sympathy cards, visit www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.