Edward Morgan Paluso, 88, of Deep Creek, MD., formerly of Charleroi, died on September 15, 2017.  Mr. Paluso was born on August 2, 1929 and was a life-long public servant who served with distinction. He was born and raised in Speers Borough and was a 1947 graduate of Charleroi High School.  He attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas for one year, before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1948 until his graduation in 1952.  
Directly after graduation, Mr. Paluso reported to Navy Flight Training and received his Navy Wings.  Mr. Paluso served as a pilot in the 74th Fighter Squadron where he flew T-33s, Banshees, Cougars and Skyrays from aircraft carriers including the Ticonderoga, Lake Champlain, Coral Sea and Roosevelt.  Mr. Paluso was Honorably Discharged in 1957 as a Lieutenant due to family hardship and returned to Charleroi to manage the family business interests including the Wellington Hotel.  Mr. Paluso also owned Wolf’s men’s clothing store for many years.  Mr. Paluso renewed his passion for public service by running and being elected to Charleroi Borough Council in 1970 where he served until his election as Washington County Commissioner in 1972.  Mr. Paluso was elected Washington County Commissioner five times and steadfastly served in that capacity from 1972 to 1992.  Mr. Paluso was also elected and served as Mayor of Charleroi from 1994 to 2006.  Mr. Paluso was moved by the acknowledgement of his community involvement when Charleroi and Speers Boroughs dedicated streets with his name.  
Mr. Paluso was a proud citizen of Charleroi who served as President of the Greater Charleroi Industrial Development Committee, Co-chairman of Washington County March of Dimes, charter member of the Tenth Street Athletic Club, founding member of the Italian American Society of Washington County, Charleroi Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Life Member of the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars and member of the Charleroi Cougar Booster Club and Elks Lodge #494.  He was also a faithful parishioner of Mary, Mother of the Church.
Mr. Paluso was an avid outdoorsman and member of the Charleroi Fishing Club, Charleroi Lodge in Benezette, PA and the Mon Valley Country Club.
Mr. Paluso was preceded in death by his father, Edward Ralph Paluso; mother, Elizabeth Repine Paluso; brother, Howard Paluso; and his beloved wife of 50 years, Blanche Michaloski Paluso.  He is survived by many nieces and nephews including Chris Michaloski of Sandusky, Ohio;  his dear cousin, Dr. Eugene Paluso; his dearest friend David Mark, of Canonsburg; his sister-in-law, Vernetta Paluso, of Charleroi; and his partner of five years, Mary Elizabeth Boesche.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 22 in the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME, 819 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi, Joseph A. Lopez, funeral director.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, in Mary, Mother of the Church, 624 Washington Ave., Charleroi, with interment following at Sacred Heart Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send Donations to the John F. Tener Public Library in Charleroi, PA.