Joseph A. Mascetta

Joseph A. Mascetta, 82 of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully on Saturday January 25, 2014 in Donnell House, Washington, surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 2, 1931 in Canonsburg a son of the late Joseph and Amalia Ciavarra Mascetta. He was a proud Italian American who graduated from Canonsburg High School in 1950. Mr. Mascetta received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954 and Master's Degrees from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Air Force during the Koran War era where he was a jet pilot and flew with the Pittsburgh National Guard. Mr. Mascetta was a chemistry teacher at both Canonsburg and Mt. Lebanon High Schools and a high school administrator of Mt. Lebanon High School. He was Principal of Mt Lebanon High School from 1981- 1992 and served on the Mt. Lebanon High School staff from 1959-1992. In addition, Mr. Mascetta taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Duquesne University. He received many honors and awards, including Outstanding High School Award from President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of Education Terrence Bell. He was an accomplished author and wrote more than 10 chemistry books, including his latest book, which was Barron's 2013 SAT Chemistry preparatory book. Mr. Mascetta was a very active member of St. Patrick's Parish where he served as Parish Council President, Commentator, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Canonsburg Council 3291 for over fifty years, The Italian American Society of Washington County by whom he was honored as a distinguished citizen on May 7, 2006 and the Greater Canonsburg Italian American Heritage Society. On June 18, 1960 he married Jean Verrone. They are the proud parents of Lisa Mascetta (Lawrence) Snow, of Fredericksburg, VA, Linda Mascetta (Scott) Trethewey of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Lori Mascetta (John) Galley of Mount Lebanon. Also surviving are his sister Rena Castelli of Houston,and eleven grandchildren; Gina, Maria, Michael and Amy Snow, Jack, Katie, James Scott and Dan Trethewey and Joe, Emily and Sara Galley and several nieces and nephews
Friends are welcome from 2-8pm Monday January 27, 2014 in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc. Joseph P. Salandra owner/supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg 724-745-8120 where departing prayers will be recited at 9:20 am Tuesday January 28, 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Tuesday in St. Patrick Church with interment to follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. Full Military rites will be accorded by the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 191 and the American Legion post 902 Honor Guard. The Christian Mothers and Guild of St. Patrick will recite the rosary at 3pm Monday in the funeral home. The Knights of Columbus will hold services at 7pm Monday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Mascetta's name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 960 Penn Avenue suite 1000 Pittsburgh PA. 15222, or to St. Patrick Church 317 West Pike St. Canonsburg 15317.