Joseph "Joe" Gualtieri

Joseph Gualtieri age 90 formerly from Whitehall Borough, PA and was a resident of Fair Oaks Senior Living passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025 with his devoted wife Debbie by his side. Joe was born December 10, 1934, son of the late Lena (Adelina) and Fred (Frederico) Gualtieri.

Survived by his wife Debbie of 33 beautiful years and her son Shawn who Joe helped raise as if he was his own. Also survived by his four children from his first marriage (late former wife Mary Jane), son, Mark (Debbie) Gualtieri, Daughter, Miki (Danny) Gualtieri-Martin, Son, Gregg (Lisa) Gualtieri and son, Joseph (Thamara) Gualtieri. Proud grandfather to 8 grandchildren, Mark, Lindsay, Christopher, Kyle, Alyssa, Ashley, Courtney and proud grandfather to his late grandson Steven. Along with 12 great grandchildren and other family members.

Over our short years together, Joe shared so many stories and antics when he was a young boy along with family and friend's stories, as well. So many stories, too many to share but want to share a couple stories to my best recollection.

From the time he was a boy he loved baseball, basically his mom and dad pretty much knew where to find him. Got into trouble a time or two and then some for not changing his Sunday best clothes and SHOES after church before heading to the field. As a young boy he was an Altar Boy, his aunt worked diligently to teach him Latin and she walked up the hill each day and being there when Joe was assisting with mass. One day he decided he was going to pass out hosts to his buddies and so he did, unblessed, of course, I think he was practicing the roll of a priest, apparently he had given thought to becoming. I laughed when he shared this story just knowing Joe. As a young boy growing up he had a few jobs, from mucking horse stalls, to working at the original Isley's in Oakland serving up scoops of ice cream with that little white paper hat and would hop on the back of the trolley, sometimes, taking him home to Beechview, I want to say I recall him also having a paper route as well, always the desire to make money as a young boy and setting the stage for what would become a successful man. As a young man every boy dreamed of having his own car, Joe was no different. He bought his first car for $85, I believe it was a Hudson Terraplane. He would polish this car, so proud, his dad would say what are you polishing it for, he would have preferred it be towed away. I was not privileged to have met his dad, but Joe always said I would have loved him. Neither one of his parents drove, they walked everywhere, and believe this is why his mom lived until she was 102. It apparently was not in good shape, passenger door had to be rigged with something to keep it closed, and the stick shift knob you could take off. He was good for teasing his mom, especially, so one day taking his mom for a ride, naturally going up and down the hills of Beechview, causing her further anxiety and then Joe took off the knob and handed it to her and asked her to hold it. Listening to the story I could hear mom screaming put that back on. The boys on the football team were good for a prank, too and would move the car from where Joe parked it, and when he left from school or practice he would have to find it, sometime a block away. Then one day while driving his priceless car it stopped, broke down, so he got out and walked away.

Speaking of football, Joe was always sports driven, his first love was always baseball but he played football too. When attending South Hills High School he scrimmaged against a St. Justin's High School quarter back by the name of Johnny Unitas. Wow, if Joe only knew then he was playing with a future all time quarter back. But his first love was truly baseball. He got an offer from the Cleveland Indians, what a dream; unfortunately, back then but they weren't paying what they do today and had decline he was starting a new life with his wife and began raising a family. Joe continued to play with local baseball leagues up to his early 40's. I could go on and on with stories.

I do recall he worked at a steel mill for a year and moved on, but the stories he told about the men he supervised, now mind you he was young and these men were older and taking orders from some young kid was not received well, but they worked hard but had some fun as well. Joe was a hard worker always working towards a better life for his family. Now, I might have the events a little out of order so forgive me. He worked full time, attended the University of Pittsburgh and studied Computer Science. I recall one job he worked the night shift at the Casket Company, I believe was on the North Side while going to school. He worked for a long standing printing company that was on the North Side, Herbick & Held a high end printing company. He began in the printing department and worked his way up to MIS Director. Had another job but then made his way with a friend and colleague to begin their computer company back in 1976, Kayjay Data Sciences, Inc. specializing in computer software for the dairy industry he was recognized for his knowledge and expertise in the industry. Later developing software for the West Penn Multi List and adding to their customer list. Unfortunately, in 2017 Joe had to walk away from his company due to his advanced health issues. What a beautiful and successful career he accomplished from the boy spending all his time with his buddies on the baseball field.

Joe and I began our married life 33+ years ago exchanging our vowels in beautiful Hawaii and raising my son, Shawn. It's hard for many families when they become blended and ours was no different. It took Shawn time to accept the changes in his life, no longer the little man of the house and had to accept sharing me with another man, not uncommon for little boys to accept, but later he loved Joe. Joe was always a peace maker, defused situations, he believed in talking through situations and eliminating any type of conflict whether it was in a business environment or at home there was always a way to handle disagreements. Well my son was lucky on a number of occasions, Joe would intervene for him when he was in trouble with me. Joe would talk to Shawn and give him his best advice but then would tell him I'll talk to your mom, don't worry. Saved Shawn a few times in his little life. From getting a spanking or timeout whatever we called it back then. We laughed about this yesterday when we were reminiscing. Shawn wanted to go look at cars when he was a little older, mind you I say look. So off Shawn and Joe went to look at cars. Well they came upon a car Shawn fell in love with, now mind you, a used car. Shawn was head strong and wanted a car with a sunroof but the one he saw did not have it. Joe in his negotiating roll said to the salesman, the boy would like a sunroof, put it in for the boy (meaning, to include it in the already negotiated price). Shawn got his dream car at that time, with sunroof, too.

He was a wonderful husband, we both worked hard together to provide us with a good life in everything we did. I will miss him terribly but he remains a part of my heart that will be with me through eternity. From my family and his children and their families he will be missed and loved and never out of our hearts and memories. Rest my love.

Service details will be shared once arrangements are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Joe.