Joseph M. Paradiso

Of Penn Hills, age 94, died peacefully at the Veterans Medical Center in Aspinwall on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
Joe was the beloved husband of Marlene (Olio) Paradiso for 69 years.
He was the treasured father of Joseph (Joy) Paradise of Plum and Michael (Linda) Paradise of O'Hara Township.
Joe was the cherished grandfather of Matthew Paradise, Alexander Paradise, Paul (Catherine) Paradise, Zachary (Shayla) Paradise and Francesca Paradise.
He was the great-grandfather of Julian, Declan, Hallie, Lily, Jana and Paige.
Joe was the brother of Madeline "Dolly" Lewis, late Salvatore Paradiso, Mary Langford, Grace Tignanelli and Leonard Paradiso.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Raised in the Larimer neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Joe attended Westinghouse High School and Connelly Vocational School. As a young teenager, Joe was trained as a meat cutter at the Fiore Meat Market. In 1951, he enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War. Upon discharge from the Army, Joe eventually resumed his career and was employed as a butcher with Giant Eagle for 25 years until he Joined his son, Joe, in operating the Swissvale Market. After a few years with the Swissvale Market, Joe retired.
In his retirement from being a butcher, Joe took on the cherished role of a School Crossing Guard in his Penn Hills neighborhood which he served until 2024.
Joe also became active with the Plum American Legion Post 980 and helped to found their Military Honor Guard. In recent years, he was the Commander of the Monroeville American Legion Post 820 Honor Guard, until his retirement from the Honor Guard in 2024, at the age of 93. In total, Joe commanded Honor Guards for 27 years. His passion for this role was evident in the meticulous honors he bestowed upon more than 3,000 veterans across Western Pennsylvania, regardless of the weather or his own health. One particularly poignant story reflects Joe's dedication and recalls how Joe, braving the wintry cold at Good Shepherd Cemetery and using a walker, led the Military Honors for a deceased veteran, just one day before Joe was to have heart surgery.
In his leisure time, when not volunteering in his role with the Honor Guards, Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting, Bingo and bowling.
Joe Paradiso lived a life of unwavering service. His impact on the community and his devotion to honoring his fellow veterans will be felt for generations to come. We bid farewell to a dedicated family man, and an exemplary citizen.
There will not be a visitation.
Joe will be laid to rest privately with Military Honors at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
Arrangements with Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Turtle Creek/Monroeville Chapel, (412) 823-9350.