In Memoriam

This is a re-post of a note I wrote on Facebook a year ago in honor of the passing of my granddaddy:

I don't usually post too much personal stuff, but I felt like I needed to honor my grandfather. He was strong, gentle, funny, sensitive, quiet, smart, and generous. He was always there for his family. I grew up riding down country roads in his green truck on summer days, watching him water & tend his garden that just overflowed with vegetables, waiting for him to pick me up from school on days when I needed a ride. These are just a few of the thousands of wonderful memories that he has left with me. I am grateful to be his granddaughter, and I'll miss him.
Joseph P. Mongelluzzo

Connellsville
Joseph P. Mongelluzzo, 93, of Connellsville, died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Excela Health Frick Hospital, Mt. Pleasant. He was born March 26, 1916, in Connellsville, a son of the late Amato and Filomena Meluzzo Mongelluzzo. He was retired from U.S. Steel's Robena Mines. He was a World War II veteran, serving as a sergeant in the Army. He was a member of the Connellsville American Legion and VFW and also a member of the UMWA Local. Joseph was a member of St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church and its Holy Name Society. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Mary Dellavechia Mongelluzzo, on Oct. 10, 1990; three brothers, Patsy, Michael and John Mongelluzzo; and two sisters, Celeste Theresa Mongell and Felicia Spagnoletti. He is survived by three daughters, Janet Stroncheck and her husband, John, of Dunbar, Nancy Mongelluzzo, of Connellsville, and Linda Gaudiello and her husband, Tony, of Connellsville; two grandchildren, Michele Lombardi and her husband, Paul, of Imperial, and Timothy Gaudiello, of Connellsville; a brother, Anthony Mongelluzzo and his wife, Roberta, of Connellsville; and a brother-in-law, Anthony Dellavechia and his wife, Helen. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday in the BROOKS FUNERAL HOME INC., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, where prayers of transfer will be recited at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church, Connellsville, with the Rev. Joseph Bonafed as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Rita's Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by the Connellsville American Legion and VFW and Trotter American Legion Honor Guard. To sign the guest registry, please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com.