Joseph Vincent DiVito, Sr.

Joseph V. DiVito, Sr., age 85 of Coraopolis, and more recently North Strabane Township, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.  Born in Sewickley Hospital, Joe was the oldest son of the late Olimpio Valentino and Mary Anne (Belcastro) DiVito.  Joe is survived by his wife, Diana, his daughter, Mary Anne (Daniel) Meade of Venetia, PA, and son Joseph V. (Karen) DiVito, Jr. of Pittsburgh.

Joe was a proud and doting grandfather of Joseph III of Cary NC, Marco of Washington DC, and Francesca DiVito and Maura and Connor Meade.  You could always count on Pap to show up at a school or sporting event, dance recital or play.  He took great pride in his grandchildren and he loved them immensely.  A visit with Pap usually ended with him peeling off “a couple of bucks to buy yourself some ice cream.”  

Joe spotted the woman of his dreams working at Star Shoe Store on Mill Street and he married the love of his life Diana (Nichay) on November 4, 1961.  Over their nearly sixty- two-year marriage they built a life that was full of love and always welcoming family and friends, both new and old. Joe was famous for holding court at family gatherings and making people he had just met feel like they had been friends for life.

Joe was a 1955 graduate of Coraopolis High School.  He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve during high school and was on active duty for two years following his graduation.  He was loyal to the Corps until his death.  Semper Fi.

Joe was a long-time, dedicated employee at Shenango Inc. where he worked in various jobs at the foundry for 35 years until the facility closed in 1990.  Rather than retire, he joined Quest Diagnostics as a courier where he worked for 15 years. Given his outgoing nature, Quest was his perfect job. 

When he wasn’t working, Joe could be found tending to his garden, where every plant had to be perfectly aligned, or in his wine cellar under the back porch where he annually tinkered with his recipe for homemade wine.  He was always in search of the perfect blend and technique and regardless of the outcome he was going to drink every drop!

Outside of his love for his family, his next love was for his hometown of Coraopolis. Joe was elected to the Borough Council in 1969 and represented the Fourth Ward for 12 years, including 7 years as President of Council.  During his years on Council, he was a tireless advocate for his Fourth Ward neighbors and the broader Coraopolis community.  He was instrumental in securing funding to rebuild the Sewickley Bridge, to reconstruct Fifth Avenue, and to develop the Coraopolis Towers along with numerous other projects.  Joe was elected Mayor and served one term before “retiring” from public service.  That retirement did not last.  He founded and served as President of the Coraopolis Historical Society and he took great pleasure in spearheading the publication of two historical books about Coraopolis, including “The Centennial History of the Borough of Coraopolis” and in creating the Historical Society room in the Coraopolis Library.

Joe was preceded in death by his brother Donald (Janet) and his brother-in-law Michael Nichay.

He was the proud uncle of Valerie (Bill) Carnohan and the late Mark (Jennifer) DiVito.  He is also very proud of his great nieces and nephews Bryce, Myles and Maryn Carnohan, Kaitlyn (Eddie) Bretch, Kayden and Karly DiVito, and Alicia (RJ) Stanley.

Family and friends will be welcomed in the Sanvito Funeral Home, 1316 4th Ave., Coraopolis on Friday, October 27 from 2pm - 8pm.   A Prayer Service will be held on Saturday, October, 28 at 11:00am in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church, 5th Ave., Coraopolis at 11:30am.  Interment at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Aliquippa.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation, PO Box 40, Coraopolis, PA 15108 (https://coraopolisfoundation.org/support) 
 

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