Joseph E. DeChicchis – Elizabeth

Joseph E. DeChicchis, 96, of Elizabeth, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at Jefferson Hospital in the company of his beloved wife and eldest child. He retired as a command pilot of the U.S. Air Force at the rank of lieutenant colonel, having flown “the Hump” (China-Burma-India) during World War II, with subsequent combat service during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a former director of operations at the Pittsburgh Air Base and a former wing commander of the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol. A member of St. Michael Parish in Elizabeth Township, he retired as a local area builder, having founded Joseph E. DeChicchis & Co. and J&E Building. He was also the founder of J&E Rentals. Born Dec. 26, 1923, in Painesville, Ohio, he was the eldest child of the late Caesar and Jennie Perifano DeChicchis. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, L. Elaine Vitori DeChicchis; daughter, Diane (Tony Brown) DeChicchis of Peters Township; sons, Joseph DeChicchis of Elizabeth, David (Alesia) DeChicchis of Pittsburgh and John (Melissa) DeChicchis of Peters Township; grandchildren, David, Jacob and JR Brown and Joseph, Louis, Jiovanni, Vincent, Sabrina and Nico DeChicchis; sister, Erselia Rothey of Elizabeth; and nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Annette Schwartz, Corinne Kutsenkow and Marie Tierney; and brother, Antoni deChicchis. Visitation is private. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, July 17, 2020, in St. Michael Parish with the Rev. Thomas A. Wagner officiating. Masks are required and social distancing rules apply. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Parish, 101 McLay Drive, Elizabeth, PA 15037. Arrangements by PAUL E. BEKAVAC FUNERAL HOME, Elizabeth. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com.