Joseph Canestrale – Monessen
Joseph Canestrale, 92, of Monessen, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Hallsworth House. He was born on Feb. 9, 1928, in Monessen, son of the late Michael and Liberia Lombardo Canestrale. Joe was a lifelong resident of Monessen, a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Church, Knights of Columbus Council 954 and the Mon Valley Shipmates. He served his country during World War II in the Merchant Marines and during the Korean War in the National Guard. He was retired from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel having worked at the Monessen Plant as an electrician. Joe enjoyed going on vacation to Deep Creek and Chesapeake Bay and spending Sundays visiting with his family. He was an avid gardener, loved automobiles and looked forward to going to local dances. Surviving are his two daughters, Wanda Lee (John) Gaspich of Monessen, and Michelle (Martin) Turkovich of Monessen; a son, Michael (Robin) Canestrale of Monessen; two granddaughters, of whom he was very proud of their accomplishments, Emily Jo Gaspich and Kathryn “Katie” Gaspich, both of Pittsburgh; a step-grandson, David Kyle of Monessen; and several other step-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Bednar of Amherst, Ohio; and by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, M. Catherine (Spence) Canestrale; two stepdaughters, Mary Frances (Evans) Kyle and Patricia (Evans) Swalin; a brother, Matthew Canestrale; and by four sisters, Angeline Matthews, Vinnie Bell, Anna Singel and Theresa Peters. Friends will be received at DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave., Monessen, from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Services will be held on Thursday beginning with a 9:30 a.m. blessing in the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord Church with Father Michael J. Crookston officiating. Interment will follow in St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery, Monessen. Everyone attending the viewing and funeral are required to wear a mask and social distance. Only 25 people at a time permitted inside the funeral home. The family would like to thank Mr. Canestrale’s great niece Mallory Goodman for her medical assistance and advice. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
