Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
JOSEPH MATTHEW GAYDOS
1926 - 2015
JOSEPH MATTHEW GAYDOS
1926 - 2015
Obituary
Guest Book
JOSEPH GAYDOS Obituary
JOSEPH MATTHEW
Congressman Joseph Matthew Gaydos, Sr., 88, of Elizabeth Twp., died Saturday, February 7, 2015. He was born July 3, 1926, in Braddock and was the son of the late Joann (John) Gajdosh (Gaydos) and the late Helen (Elena) Megella Gaydos. He was the husband of the late Alice Ann Gray Gaydos who died March 19, 2001. Joseph served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. He attended Duquesne University and received his bachelor of law degree at Notre Dame University Law School. He began his career as General Council to the United Mineworkers District 5. He was a Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General and was also Assistant Solicitor for Allegheny County. He became a State Senator for the 45th District and became the first Slovak American to serve in Congress. He represented the 20th Congressional District from 1968-1992 and served on the Printing Committee, Labor and Education Committee, House Administration Health and Safety Sub-committee. Congressman Gaydos was instrumental in drafting the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, (ERISA). This legislation helped to guarantee basic pension rights for workers. Throughout his political career, his primary legislative concerns were focused on the welfare of working people. He founded the Congressional Steel Caucus in the 1970s and was the first to recognize that "dumping" was a problem in the steel industry, and was also involved in many policies regarding Clean Air. He is survived by his son, Attorney Joseph M. (Lisa) Gaydos, Jr., of Elizabeth Twp.; daughters, Kelly M. (Tony) Gaydos- Constantino of Greenock, Attorney Kathleen M. Gaydos of Grand Ledge, MI, Coleen Gaydos (Jeff) Tomcik of Venetia, and Tammy L. (William) Caye of Oakdale; sister, Mildred Barry of Kennerdale; grandchildren, Lauren, William, Robert "RJ", Joseph III, Madison and Adam, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Gaydos; and sisters, Ethel Gaydos, Margaret Cooper, Helen Murray, and Elsa Finn. Friends are welcome Tuesday, February 10, 2015, from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday February 11, 2015, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the GILBERT FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, INC., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township. Service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Good Shepherd Cemetery, Monroeville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nathan Arenson Fund for Cancer Research at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, c/o Dr. Olivera Finn, E1040 Biomedical Science Tower, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261. Condolences may be made at:
gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com
Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 4, 2015
Congressman Gaydos was a great advocate for the Mon Valley. He was a truly the "Progressive" of his era. I will always remember he (& a departed County Sheriff) would bring a police car out to my Grandmas' house to get her to the Soldiers &Sailors for Democratic Comittee meetings, She was wheelchair bound but darn if she couldnt turn the votes out for your Dad, and others!! Those were the good old days!
Please accept my sympathy. I will never forget this man -a true Democrat that never turned his back on his community,
B Swant
March 23, 2015
Please accept my condolences. May you find comfort knowing that God is near you and is a refuge during this difficult time.
--Psalms 9:9--
Larry Dunn, former Allegheny County Commissioner
February 22, 2015
Dear Joe and Family,
I was very sorry to read of your father's passing. Joe Gaydos was an outstanding public servant, who looked after and helped all of his constituents.
I regret that I was unable to pay my respects in person, but I recently had surgery to replace my right knee. Joe will
be greatly missed by the many thousands of people whose lives he touched during his years in office.
With deepest regrets,
TOM NIXON
February 17, 2015
JOE AND THE GAYDOS FAMILY, I ENJOYED MEETING YOUR FATHER AND ANALYZING HIS HANDWRITING AT YOUR 4th OF JULY PICNIC. HIS HANDWRITING WAS THAT OF AN EXCEPTIONAL MAN! HE CERTAINLY MADE A HUGE CONTRIBUTION WITH HIS LIFE. I AM SURE ST. PETER GAVE HIM TH4 EXPRESS LANE. MY CONDOLENCES TO YOU ALL.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
February 16, 2015
Our sympathy to the family of our neighbor and friend Joe Dr frank L Rommel-Mary rommel Pforsich andPatricia. Rommel Shuster
Christina Moret
February 14, 2015
My family (the Magyars) lived across the street on Owens Avenue growing up, and my sisters and I have very fond memories of playing with the Gaydos kids. I was very sad to hear of Joe's Sr.'s death, and we are thinking of all of you at this time.
Melissa Leckie
February 12, 2015
My love & prayers are with you all forever...that has never change.
February 12, 2015
Dear Coleen, Tammy and Family,
I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. My prayers and love are with you during this difficult time. May you find peace in all the memories you share.
With Sympathy,
Leann Good and Family
Doug Walgren
February 11, 2015
On behalf of my family and the many other former Members of Congress from the 1980's who I know thought so highly of Joe from our personal experiences with him in Washington, I want to express our sympathy to Joe's family and salute his work in Congress that did much to improve the lives of his constituents in the Mon Valley. He was a good friend and a strong advocate for his community whose life left the world a better place.
Linda Comley (Stevens)
February 11, 2015
To the Gaydos Family;
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Your Father took me home from the hospital to my adopted parents George and Dorothy Stevens of Port Vue, Pa when I was only 3 days old. I was told that my dad and Mr. Gaydos were very good friends for many years. I still miss my dad eventhough, he has been gone since 1982. My thoughts and prayers are with youn's all in your time of need. May God Bless you and be with you always.
February 11, 2015
Dear Billy Tammy and Family, May God hold you and guide you at your time of loss. You and your entire family are in our Prayers.
K evin Cagni & Family
Timothy Kolich
February 11, 2015
Your friends at the Dirty Dog all wish you and your family peace and condolences in this time of grief.
February 11, 2015
Dear Tammy and Family, I was so sorry to learn of your father's passing today! He was truly an amazing man. I'm sure you're very proud of all he accomplished. I miss you Tammy and hope to see you soon.
Love,
Michele & Anthony Rash
February 11, 2015
Sending you love and prayers.
Jason, Jill and Rudy Morris
Judy Jordan Kalich
February 11, 2015
Dear Family,
I have such fond memories of knowing well Kathy and Colleen with their Penn State McKeesport connection and K&K Miniature Golf, Your Dad is a local star who never forgot his roots. May you relish wonderful memories and the knowledge that your Dad lead an admirable life. My condolences.
Jean Milko
February 10, 2015
My deepest sympathy. May he rest in peace.
Jon Delano
February 10, 2015
Dear Joe & all the Gaydos Family,
My sincere sympathies at the loss of your dad and family patriarch.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Joe Gaydos when I was a young congressional staffer on Capitol Hill back in the late 1970s. How a member of Congress treated others on the Hill was always my test of decency, and Joe Gaydos passed with flying colors. During my 14 years in the Congress, he was great fun to be with -- caustic and irreverent at times, but never fake -- an old-school politician who prefered to work hard quietly behind the scenes than in some flamboyant public way.
Many of us in Pittsburgh will truly miss him.
My deepest sympathies & warm regards,
Jon
Ray Allen
February 10, 2015
Sympathy & kindest regards to the Gaydos family & friends wherever they may be. God bless 1 & all. Take care. Fond memories of the old AC Common Pleas Court days & more.
February 10, 2015
May God Bless You at this time of sorrow! Will keep the family in your prayers.
Michael Meharra
February 9, 2015
MILLIE BARRY & GAYDOS FAMILY,
REMEMBERING JOE, HIS PARENTS & SIBLINGS;
GROWING UP NEXT DOOR ON VERMONT AVENUE, GLASSPORT, PA. TIME WAS PRECIOUS TO JOE. HE ALWAYS MADE TIME TO SIT ON MY PARENT'S PORCH & HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE WITH THEM. GOD BLESS JOE FOR THE JOY AND SIMPLE ACTS OF KINDNESS HE ALWAYS SHARED AS A CARING NEIGHBOR ! MAY YOU FIND SOLACE IN KNOWING YOUR "LOVED ONE" IS FREE OF PAIN, FREE OF SORROWS AND IS LIVING PEACEFULLY AND ETERNALLY WITH GOD.
DOROTHY (WITKOWSKI) PATTERSON
MELBOURNE, FLORIDA
February 9, 2015
Joe and family, so sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. Our deepest sympathies.
Bill and Judy Schubert
Paul Gitnik
February 9, 2015
To the Gaydos Family:
May his soul rest in peace and may the perpetual light shine upon him.
With deepest sympathy,
Rick and Linda Vtipil
February 9, 2015
Dear Kelly and Tony,
We know how heart broken you are with the loss of your wonderful dad. We pray as time passes, memories of him will give you great comfort. Much love to you both, God bless to the entire family.
Andy Kisty
February 9, 2015
Joe, Kelly, Colleen, Tammy and all the Gaydos Family, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Your dad was one of the best and finest men I have know. When I was President of Ironworkers Local #3 your father always helped out when we had problems with unsafe job conditions from unruly contractors. A call to Joe, and a team (O.S.H.A) was out to solve all unsafe and very bad conditions on job sites. The contractors were fined,then removed from those areas. Also other companies that had proven death rates and serious accidents. He was a man who I looked to and who did his job to the fullest to protect the working man. His smile lit a room. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.
Jennifer Onaitis Legler
February 9, 2015
I did not know the Congressman personally, but my Mom, Albina Onaitis, worked at Cox's in McKeesport and Mrs Gaydos was one of her regular customers in the children's clothing section. I recall my Mom always having a high regard for her. Sorry to hear that you lost her a while back, too. My condolences to you all. I didn't know Mr. Gaydos was a Navy Veteran, but I belatedly offer my thanks to him for his service and my freedom, and lastly, I wish him "Fair Winds and Following Seas" as they say in the Navy.
Ed Little and Family
February 9, 2015
Joe,
So sorry for the passing of your father. He was a great man that always had other peoples best interest at hand. My condolences to your entire family, God Bless you all.
Nancy Parsons
February 9, 2015
My deepest sympathy to all of the family. My heart is with you all in this time of need. I love you dearly Kathy.
Nancy
Mary Flanagan
February 9, 2015
Joe, Colleen and Family,
Your dad hired me for my first job in Washington, DC - those were many, many wonderful years in his Washington office - memorable -- with a lot of fun thrown in. He was a superb teacher, mentor and boss. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time.
With deepest sympathy,
Mary Flanagan
February 9, 2015
Dear Tammy: I was very saddened to read of the passing of your dad. Please accept my condolences on your loss. - Jeff Pollock, Esq., Sq. Hill
Barbara and Dave Deer
February 9, 2015
Dear Kelly,
We are so sorry for you at this great time of sadness. Your have been the model of the perfect daughter to your father in the tremendous selfless love and care you gave him.
JOANNE STANKO
February 9, 2015
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY. HE TRULY WILL BE MISSED! THE STANKOS(ED, PEARL AND JOANNE)
February 9, 2015
I had the pleasure of working on Congressman Gaydos's staff in the early 70's, at his Pgh. Federal Bldg. office. On his weekends away from D.C., he always found time from his busy schedule to go into his neighborhoods for Saturday workshops, so he could hear first hand the concerns of his constituents. He was always a tireless, honest and caring person, who always had the time to ask you how you and your family was. He will be missed by all who's lives he touched and were affected by his work in Congress.
Frank "Cheech" Romano
EDDIE & ALLY NASSAN
February 9, 2015
YOU HAVE OUR FAMILYS DEEPEST SYMPATHY FOR THE LOSS OF JOE. HE WAS CERTAINLY A GREAT FREIND OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT AND WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR WORKING FAMILYS.
Dale Williams
February 8, 2015
Joe, Kelly and Families,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. My heart goes out to all of you during this difficult time. I lost my father 2 years ago, and although it does get easier, I still miss him tremendously. Your parents were dear friends of my Grandparents Ches and Jessie Copeland. I also remember being a caddy for your Mom at the Country Club on several occasions. They were such gracious people. I will be thinking of you during these difficult days ahead.
Blessings,
Dale Williams
February 8, 2015
Deat Joe and Family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your Father. Our prayers are with you.
Bill and Diane Riley
Showing 1 - 35 of 35 results
6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, PA 15135
Make a Donation
in JOSEPH GAYDOS's name
How to support JOSEPH's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor JOSEPH GAYDOS's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more