Aldo L. Bartolotta

"I never had a bad day," a lifelong motto and phrase repeated by Aldo L. Bartolotta, 85, of Monongahela, who passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. Aldo, President of Mon Valley Foods, avid Pitt Panther fan, and Mon Valley icon, received innumerable awards in his lifetime for his philanthropy and leadership, but considered family his greatest achievement. Aldo was born on Main Street in Monongahela to Antonio G. and Maria (Pontiere) Bartolotta on Aug. 3, 1927, the youngest of six children. He grew up on Cuff Alley, off of Park Avenue, and is featured in its TV documentary, "One Extraordinary Street." He was a 1945 graduate of Monongahela High school and served two years in the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II. In 1949, Aldo began his career at Bartolotta's Meat Market in Monongahela with his brother, Leo and continued to work there and grow their business to open 10 more stores in the Mon Valley. After his brother's retirement in 1973, Aldo took control of what was then Fisher Heights Shop 'n' Save, now known as Bartolotta's Giant Eagle. With the help of his son, Bruce, and son-in-law, Robert "Archie" Allridge, Aldo opened three more stores within the next 20 years. Aldo never retired, and was still involved with his three remaining stores, Fisher Heights, Finleyville, and Uniontown until just last year. Aldo has undoubtedly become a legend in his community not only for his leadership and friendship to many, but also his contributions to countless organizations and sports team sponsorships in the Mon Valley and beyond. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees at Monongahela Valley Hospital and a board member of Mon-Vale Health Resources, for which he received the Pallone Award for Dimensions in Board Leadership this spring. Aldo also was a member of the American Legion Post 302, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Monongahela, Monongahela Elks Club 455, Mon Valley Golden Panthers Club, University of Pittsburgh; the Italian Heritage Society of America, and the Knights of Columbus 2600, which once named him Man of the Year. Previously, he received the Golden Panthers Special Chapter Award and the Golden Panthers Man of the Year Award by the University of Pittsburgh, the Mid-Mon Valley Italians Special Columbus Day Award, and also the Mon Valley Boy Scouts of America Good Citizen Award for Community Service. In 2009, he received the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame Appreciation Award and also a Distinguished Citizen Award. Aldo was a lifelong Pitt Panther football fan and attended or recorded every game since the '70s. He enjoyed playing the accordion and organ, keeping in touch with friends and family, sharing stories and traditions, and a good C.C. Manhattan. His greatest joy was having his large family together and he concluded every holiday toast with, "We have a good family, I'm proud of all of you. Remember to always stay close, watch out for each other, and do something good for humanity every day." Surviving are his wife of almost 60 years, Joan (Greco) Bartolotta, whom he married May 18, 1953; a daughter and son-in-law, Toni Jo and Robert J. "Archie" Allridge of Charleroi; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Jamie) FitzGerald, Danielle M. (Matthew) Steingraber, Bart Allridge, Damon J., Devin J., and Dante A.W. Bartolotta; a great-granddaughter, Claire FitzGerald; a daughter-in-law, Camera Bartolotta of Monongahela; his former daughter-in-law, Nancy Bartolotta of Charleroi; and a large extended family that stretches from California to New England. Preceding him in death was his son, Bruce A. Bartolotta, who died Nov. 16, 2009; four brothers, Vincent, Eugene, Leo and Armond Bartolotta; and a sister, Catherine A. Monte Carlo. Friends will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess Street, Monongahela, 724-258-6767, marshallmarrafuneralhome.com. A Blessing Service will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, beginning at 10 a.m. in St. Damien of Molokai Parish, (Transfiguration) Church with the Rev. Fr. William Terza as Celebrant. Entombment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The Mon-Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad will conduct full military honors at the cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to either the Fr. Leger Fund, 722 West Main St., Monongahela, PA. 15063 or Mon-Vale Health Resources Inc., 1163 Country Club Rd., Monongahela, PA. 15063.