Joseph J. Jelovich

1937 - 2021

Joseph J. Jelovich, 83, of Murrysville, passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Nov. 13,1937, in Hazelwood, to the late Ida and Anthony "Kel" Jelovich. Joe was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1955. After receiving offers from the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard for football, track and academics, he chose to attend Pitt on a track and senatorial scholarship for engineering. Upon graduation, Joe helped design and test navigational systems for aircrafts, flying from New York to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on a regular basis. He then joined Sperry as a field engineer working with missile systems. While living in West Germany, Joe was an advisor to the New German Army Missile Program during the Cold War. After years of relocating around Europe, he decided to bring his family back to Pittsburgh. Joe spent the remainder of his career with Westinghouse as a nuclear engineer and spent a year in Annapolis working with the Underseas Division. His proudest work achievement was helping to design the AP1000 nuclear reactor. Joe was a member of the Corvette Club of Western Pennsylvania and was asked to join MENSA International in the 1960s. He was always planning his next adventure and found great joy in flying glider planes, cycling, sailing, golfing, high altitude climbing, and most of all, skiing. Mr. Jelovich was a ski instructor at Seven Springs Mountain Resort for over 20 years, skiing as recently as this past February. Most importantly, Joe was very dedicated to and extremely proud of his family. Along with his wonderful memories, Joe leaves behind his childhood friend and wife of 61 years, Constance Falce Jelovich; children, Kristin (Dale) Gordon, of Lower Burrell, Jennifer (Kevin) Rush, of North Strabane Township, and Jason Jelovich, of Pittsburgh; grandchildren, McKenzie and Delaney Gordon, Garrett and Jessica Rush, and Jacob and Conner Jelovich; and brothers, Benjamin (Donna) Jelovich, of North Carolina, and John "Jack" (Evelyn) Jelovich, of West Mifflin. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family would like to thank their dear friend, Sandy Dunkel of Care at Home, Adam of Care at Home Preferred and his staff, Kellie and Patty, for their outstanding care and ever-present kindness. All services were private and entrusted to ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068. Please leave an online condolence at www.rossgwalker.com.line