Ernest U. Orsatti

Ernest U. Orsatti

Age 99, of Penn Hills, passed away Friday, March 17, 2023. He was born October 12, 1923 in Carpinone, in the Italian province of Abruzzi. Ernie came to Pittsburgh in 1933 as a dual citizen with his late mother and late sister Nora. He was the son of the late Benjamin and Nicolina Orsatti. Ernie was a freshman at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) when he was drafted into the US Army during WWII. Ernie served with the 749th Coast Artillery Battalion in the European Theater of Operations in Iceland, England, France, Belgium, Holland, the Netherlands and Germany. He saw extensive combat serving under Generals Montgomery, Bradley and Patton. After the war Ernie continued his studies in engineering in Chicago where he met his wife Dorothy of almost 70 years until her passing in 2019. Ernie, Dorothy and Nora operated the Eastwood Athletic Club in Penn Hills for many years until 1974. Eastwood served as the meeting place for many young people during the summer months. After the Pool closed Ernie began working for the Catholic Cemeteries Association where he designed and supervised the construction of mausoleums throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh and beyond. He continued this work after his formal retirement as a consultant until he was 97 ½ years old. Ernie was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and former past Grand Knight. Ernie was the patriarch of the Orsatti Family and is survived by his two sons; Ernest B. (Ingrid) Orsatti and Dino (Rose) Orsatti. He is also survived by five grandchildren; Benjamin (Grace) Orsatti, Michael (Grace) Orsatti, Alyson Orsatti, Hollie (Jonathan) Hoover and Heather (Johnny) Koehlein; Also survived by great-grandsons; Nicholas Orsatti and John Paul Orsatti and great-grandaughter; Anamaria Orsatti.

Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Mother of Good Counsel Church St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 7705 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 at 10 a.m.