Emil G. Begg

Emil G. Begg, 88, of Wilkins Township, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. He was the beloved father of George (Jeanine) Begg, Laura Begg, and Kathleen (Erik) Kitterman; grandfather of Darryl (Zach) Martin, Sydney (Coy) Taylor, Ian Kitterman, Owen Kitterman, and the late Andrew Kitterman; and great-grandfather of Emma Martin. He was the oldest brother to Mary "Mitzi" Pair, Irene Begg, and Dan (Kate) Begg and had the pleasure of being an uncle to many nieces and nephews who adored him. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Theresa (Brush) Begg; and his siblings, Dorothy Weaver, Sam Begg, and Donna "Micki" Begg. Emil was born and raised in Swissvale and played basketball for Swissvale High School. A love that followed him into adulthood, where he coached the St. John Fisher basketball team. Never one to sit still, it was no surprise when he took to running. Over a few decades he completed a multitude of local 5k runs, which ultimately led to him completing six Pittsburgh marathons. While he enjoyed watching professional sports, his true passion was IndyCarracing and making the trip each year to the Indy 500. Emil, until the age of 82, had a dedicated career in retail sales and management at Sears, Montgomery Ward, and Kohl's, but the impact he had extended far into the communities in which he worked and lived. He served his country for six years as an Army reservist, where he became a field medic. But he was best known for his skills in carpentry, plumbing, and electric, and as a result, his mark has been left in many homes across the Pittsburgh area. He was everyone's ""go-to"" person and known for being generous with his time. Always there when needed, Emil never asked if he could help; he just showed up with tools in hand. Though he had many blessings throughout his life, his family was the one he considered his greatest. As the second oldest of seven children, he played many roles for his siblings and loved the relationships they developed throughout their years together. Being an uncle was a role he played well; the connection and bonds he built with his nieces and nephews were something he was both proud and honored to have done. He was an active and engaged grandfather who loved to boast about his grandchildren's accomplishments and beamed with pride for them. He was a devoted and caring husband to his wife of 56 years, who, together, built a wonderful life filled with love, laughter, and, of course, dancing. His own children could write a book on the innovative ways he solved problems, the annual family vacations he ensured they had each year, and the inspiration he provided to them until his dying day. He will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him, but his memory is etched into our minds and branded on our hearts, where he will continue to live on. May he rest in peace.
Friends and family will be received at Wolfe Memorial, LLC, Forest Hills Chapel, 3600 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, and also from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John Fisher Church of St. Joseph the Worker Parish on Monday, June 30, at 10:00am. Burial in All Saints Braddock Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.