Salem boy dies of injuries sustained during house fire

An 11-year-old Salem boy died of injuries suffered in a Feb. 10 house fire, according to family members and officials at Greensburg Salem School District.

David W. Becker was among three people rescued from the burning home on Route 819. A neighbor, Christina Shaner, helped Becker’s mother get his younger brother safely away from the fire. Shaner said she was unable to get inside the home to look for David. He was pulled out by firefighters and flown to a Pittsburgh-area hospital.

David’s aunt, Georgia Rosatti, said doctors informed the family Sunday morning he had succumbed to injuries from the fire.

“David was the kindest 11-year-old boy who brought so much joy into my life and the lives of our family from the moment he joined us on this Earth,” Rosatti wrote as part of a GoFundMe fundraiser to help with the family’s expenses.

The fundraiser brought in more than $23,000 in donations as of Monday evening.

“We’re grateful for the wonderful 11 years that we had with David and that he will be able to save others through his organ donations,” Rosatti wrote. “He truly is a hero.”

David was a fifth grader at Metzgar Elementary School in Greensburg Salem School District. Superintendent Kenneth Bissell posted a message to the community Sunday announcing the school would have safety and counseling staff on hand for any staff or students in need of support.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family as they grieve the loss of their child,” Bissell wrote.

Friends and family will be received from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16; and 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at Soxman Funeral Home, 7450 Saltsburg Road in Penn Hills.

A funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 18 at St. Margaret Mary Church, with interment at Poke Run Cemetery.