Fred Irwin Sharp, Jr.

Fred Irwin Sharp, 90, of Sewickley died peacefully Aug. 14, 2011 with his family by his side.

Born Nov. 11, 1920 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of the late Fred and Florence (Dey) Sharp, he was the beloved husband for over 63 years of Carol (Williams) Sharp; the loving father of Kimberly (Lawrence) Fierst of Ben Avon Heights and Lisa (the late Montgomery) Hord of Pelham, N.Y.; the proud grandfather of Molly Williams Hord, Sophie McCullough Hord and Jackson Sharp Hord.

A 1942 graduate of Colgate University where he became a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, he was an Army Air Force veteran and flew P-47’s on 72 combat missions in the World War II European Theater of Operations.

He spent his first career in the advertising business with Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn where he retired in 1970 as Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors.

In 1970, he founded a start-up company, Computer Shopping Services, a pioneer of computer-based marketing strategies for retailers. He joined H.J. Heinz Company in 1973 where he worked until 1987 in strategic planning, business development and acquisitions.

He subsequently started a consulting business focused on new business strategies for major food companies where he focused most of his time until 2007.

A memorial service will be held at The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, 414 Grant Street, on Saturday Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Lung Association, 810 River Avenue, Suite 140, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.