Justin T. Horan

Passed away with grace and courage on April 21, 2008. A jovial man with great drive and leadership, he provided forty years leading Chambers of Commerce throughout New England to include Manchester, New Hampshire; Newton, Massachusetts; Lawrence/Andover, Massachusetts; Waterbury, Connecticut; and nineteen years as President and Chief Executive Officer at the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. In 1975, the Pittsburgh Chamber leadership made decisions to revitalize the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, at which time they recruited Justin T. Horan from Connecticut to reorganize their Chamber. During his term, the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber provided meaningful benefits to the members such as transportation (roads and bridges), legislative activities (reducing PA Corporate New Income Tax), government efficiency programs in both Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh, established a regional program to rebuild the locks and dams on the navigable rivers of Pittsburgh (DYNAMO), and community promotion resulting in Pittsburgh being named the first city ever as the "Most Livable City in America" while also coining the phrase "Pittsburgh-The City of Champions". Mr. Horan's professional service led him to the Chairmanship of the American Chamber of Commerce Executive Association (ACCE) and a position on the board of the United States Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Board's of the former Allegheny Club and La Roche College, and recently served as a member on the Executive Committee at the Masonic Village at Sewickley. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he served in both the United States Navy and attained the rank of Captain in the United States Army. He leaves his loving wife, Helen R. Horan of 56 years and his eight children, Catherine Peters, Carol (Charles) Nardello, Tom (Sandra), Steve (Nancy), Dan (Lisa), Mark, Virginia (Larry) Lewis, and Paul (Lori); eighteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Although his leadership led to a successful professional career, his proudest and most cherished accomplishment was his loving family. Visitation will be held on Wednesday and Thursday 2-4 & 7-9pm at the H. P. Brandt Funeral Home, Inc., 1032 Perry Hwy, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, 412-364-4444. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Teresa of Avila Church on Friday at 10:30am.