Carl L. Esposito

Carl L. "Cheech" Esposito, 90, of New Castle, passed away early Thursday morning, November 6, 2025, at his residence. Mr. Esposito was born on January 8, 1935, in New Castle, a son of the late Carl and Betha (Duncan) Esposito, and later graduated from Shenango High School in 1957.

Cheech married Wanda L. (Long) Esposito on May 20, 1963, and she preceded him in death on December 27, 2007. He married Karen (Grant) Lynn Esposito on January 12, 2019, and she survives at their home.

Cheech served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was a member of American Legion Post 343, New Castle. As a young man, he worked as an appliance serviceman for Sears, Roebuck, and Company prior to becoming a journeyman plumber/pipefitter. A union member for 50-plus years, he worked out of UA Local Union Nos. 115, 47, and 27.

Cheech was a member of the Polish Falcons Nest 146, Els Lodge 69, the South Hills Athletic Association, and bowled in the City Industrial League at the Shenango Bowl-A-Way for many years. Cheech proudly coached his son's youth baseball teams and was the former President of the Shenango Athletic Association. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins fan.

A talented musician, Cheech always loved music and played multiple instruments in several bands around the area. As a young teenager, he had his own Sunday morning polka radio show on WKST, where he became known as "Chico." He also enjoyed his time outdoors, which included hunting and spending weekends at the camp.

In addition to his wife, Cheech is survived by three sons, Ron and Marlene Esposito, Todd and Dianna Esposito, and Steve and Karen Esposito, all of New Castle; a daughter-in-law, Marcia Esposito, of Fishers, IN; two step-children, Ruthie and Max Harlan-Maxwell and Jack and Amanda Lynn. He is also survived by two sisters, Connie Esposito, of New Castle, and Debbie and Brad Bender, of Beaver, PA; a brother, Bob and Joyce Esposito, of New Castle; a sister-in-law, Linda Esposito, of New Castle; and a step-brother-in-law, Tom and Marilyn Grant, of Minnesota; along with his grandchildren, Ashley, Vincent, Morgan (Derrick), Stephen, Bradley, Ronald (Alexis), Coltin, and Landon; and step-grandchildren, Brendan (Lauren), Sean, Andy, Raegan, Kennedi, Grant, Jordyn, William, and Collin.

In addition to his parents and first wife, Wanda, Cheech was preceded in death by his son, Brad Esposito; a sister, Betty Sorbo; and two brothers, Donald "Dee-Dee" Esposito and Tony Esposito.

Calling hours will be 2 to 5 p.m. Monday (11-10-25) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.

A funeral service will be conducted thereafter at 5 p.m., in the funeral home, with Pastor Ted Saad of Word of Life Family Church officiating. Military honors will be rendered prior to the funeral service by the New Castle Area Honor Guard.

Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Neshannock Twp.