Inc. 1967
John M. Nicastro,17,a Junior in Monessen High School,who played "hooky" from classes Wednesday afternoon,June 3,1942.lost his life by drowning in the Layton reservior. The boy in company with Don Byron,Robert Minor,16,and Charles McGovern,had driven to the reservoir near Perryopolis to take a dip and escape the heat. Nicastro,who had always been an expert swimmer,started across the reservoir at a point where it is 200 feet wide. He reached the middle when his friends noticed he was tiring. Minor went into the water to assist his chum. He reached his side and managed to hold Nicastro above the water for a short time. He had hold of his hair. Finally Minor became tired and it was either a case of letting his friend go down or both of them drown. Minor let go and swam for shore. He reached safety. The two other boys had summoned help and residents of the district went into the water to recover the body. About ten minutes after Nicastro had gone down in approximately 25 feet of water,the body was taken to shore by Truman Frye,of Layton. The Perryopolis Volunteer Fire Department was summoned. Dr. R. P. Kamerer also went to the scene of the tragedy. Trained crews of resue workers used artificial respiration methods for several hours but to no prevail and about 4 o'clock Dr. Kamerer pronounced the high school student dead by drowning. Deputy Coroner Ira Blair of Perryopolis investigated the case. Nicastro was a member of the Monessen High School band. He was a son of Patrolman Anthony and Anna Dempsy Nicastro of Monessen. His father is a member of the city's police force. In addition to his parents he is survived by a sister, Gladys, at home. Friends may view the remains at the home,1411 Walnut street. Services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. S. Kenneth Johnson in charge. Interment will be in the Belle Vernon Cemetery.
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