MASSARO JOSEPH ANDREW, Jr. Surrounded by his family, just as he would have wanted, Joseph Andrew Massaro, Jr., died peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at the age of 79 after a heroic battle with Alzheimer's disease. Joe was born on January 14, 1936 and raised on Larimer Avenue in East Liberty. He was the second son of Mary (Insogna) and Joseph A. Massaro, Sr. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1953, where he played quarterback on the football team. He went on to St. Francis University, where he continued playing quarterback for two years and then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a civil engineering degree in 1957. In 1967, he founded Massaro Corporation, one of the region's largest and most respected construction companies. Joe was passionate about his Catholic faith and guided by the strong belief that along with great success comes the great responsibility to give back to the community. He took tremendous pride in serving on the boards of directors of La Roche College, Central Catholic High School, Riverview School District, The Pittsburgh Opera and St. Anthony School for Exceptional Children. While serving as president of the St. Anthony Board, he led the effort to "mainstream" children with developmental disabilities by including them in the classroom with their peers. He was also a generous supporter of many charitable and non-profit organizations, including The Homeless Children's Education Fund, The Multiple Sclerosis Society, The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Oakland Catholic High School, Little Sisters of the Poor and St. Vincent College. Although he was the recipient of many awards recognizing his commitment to the community, including the NAIOP Lifetime Achievement award, the University of Pittsburgh Distinguished Alumni award, the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life award and the LA Roche Ad Lucem award, he was most proud of his induction into the Central Catholic High School Hall of Fame. Despite all of his success, he never forgot where he came from or what was most important in life - the love of his family. He is deeply mourned by his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Carol (Coleman) Massaro; and preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Joseph A. Massaro; and his brothers, Eugene Gene and Gerard Gerry Massaro. His four children were his most cherished accomplishments, Linda, Joe III (Alina), David (Luci) and Steven "Gooch" (Stephanie). He served as a constant role model and will always be remembered and loved as "Grandpa" by his 15 grandchildren, Steven Studnicky, Alex (Studnicky) Gardella (Chris), Sofia Massaro, Olivia Massaro, Carolyn Cost, Marta Massaro, Josie Cost, Isabella Massaro, Meredith Massaro, Charlie Massaro, Elizabeth Massaro, Lily Massaro, Joseph A. Massaro, Ava Massaro and Charlotte Massaro. Joe was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in January 2010. He confronted the disease with the same passion, humility and pride that had always defined him. In response to the disease, his wife, Carol established the Joseph A. Massaro Alzheimer's Research Fund through the Pittsburgh Foundation in September 2013. To continue his strong commitment to the community he lived in and loved, the aim of the fund is to support Pittsburgh based researchers seeking a cure for Alzheimer's. Family and friends will be received on Sunday, January 3, 2016, from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Avenue and Devonshire Street (freyvogelfuneralhome.com). Funeral Monday, January 4, 2016, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Bishop David A. Zubik at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral, 108 North Dithridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA. A reception will be held immediately following Mass at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (PAA), 4215 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. A private entombment will follow the Mass for immediate family only. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you kindly consider a donation to the Joseph A. Massaro Alzheimer's Fund through the pittsburghfoundation.org. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
