Harry J. Cancelmi, Jr.

Harry J. Cancelmi, Jr., 75, passed away Thursday, September 18, at his home in Bridgeport, WV. A native of Pennsylvania, he also maintained a residence in Waynesburg, PA.

Born in Pittsburgh on September 29, 1949, Mr. Cancelmi, was an attorney for more than 50 years. In Waynesburg, he served as the Chief Public Defender for Greene County on March 6, 1996 and oversaw that office for 29 years. In addition to his duties as Public Defender, he also conducted a private law practice in Waynesburg that began in 1974 following his admission to the bar.

 Harry is the son of the late Harry J. And Mary M (Smetana) Cancelmi. He attended Baldwin High School in Pittsburgh, went on to graduate from the University of Notre Dame and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh. At the time of

his passing he was a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania. In June of this year, he was honored with the President’s Award of the Public Defender Association.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela, his step children, Ashley Bailey (Brandon) and Joshua Stewart (Staci), five step grandchildren, his brother, Louis (Annette) Cancelmi, of Mars, PA, and his sister Rita of Verona, PA. He was preceded in death by a brother, Norbert, of Bethel Park, PA.

The uncle of many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, Harry loved all of them dearly and took great delight in their achievements, big and small. A kind and caring person, he held a special place in his heart for dogs and owned many over the course of his life. Molly, his family dachshund and faithful friend, meant the world to him.

Family will receive friends at the Valley View Farm Venue, 102 Orndorff Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370 on Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM for a celebration of Harrys life.

Private family committal service will be held upon interment at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Harry to the Humane Society of Greene County, 183 Jefferson Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370.

Online condolences may be sent to www.DavisFuneralHomeWV.com.  Davis Funeral Home is honored to assist the Cancelmi family.

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