Joseph A. Mascetta
Former area principal was published author
Joseph A. Mascetta, 82, of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully Saturday, January 25, 2014, in Donnell House, Washington, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born September 2, 1931, in Canonsburg, a son of the late Joseph and Amalia Ciavarra Mascetta.
Mr. Mascetta was a proud Italian-American who was a 1950 graduate of Canonsburg High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954 and master’s degrees from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Mascetta served in the U.S. Air Force during the Koran War era, where he was a jet pilot and flew with the Pittsburgh National Guard. He was a chemistry teacher at both Canonsburg and Mt. Lebanon high schools and a high school administrator of Mt. Lebanon High School. He was principal of Mt. Lebanon High School from 1981 to 1992 and served on the Mt. Lebanon High School staff from 1967 to 1992. In addition, Mr. Mascetta taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Duquesne University.
He received many honors and awards, including Outstanding High School Award from President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of Education Terrence Bell. He was an accomplished author and wrote more than 10 chemistry books, including his latest book, which was Barron’s 2013 SAT chemistry preparatory book.
Mr. Mascetta was a very active member of St. Patrick’s Parish, where he served as parish council president, commentator, Eucharistic minister and lector. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Canonsburg Counsel 3291 for more than 50 years, Italian American Society of Washington County, by whom he was honored as a distinguished citizen May 7, 2006, and Greater Canonsburg Italian American Heritage Society.
On June 18, 1960, he married Jean Verrone. They are the proud parents of Lisa Mascetta (Lawrence) Snow of Fredericksburg, Va., Linda Mascetta (Scott) Trethewey of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Lori Mascetta (John) Galley of Mount Lebanon.
Also surviving are his sister, Rena Castelli of Houston; 11 grandchildren, Gina, Maria, Michael and Amy Snow, Jack, Katie, James Scott and Dan Trethewey and Joe, Emily and Sara Galley; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where departing prayers will be recited at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2014. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Patrick Church, Canonsburg, with interment to follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. Full military rites will be accorded by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 and the American Legion Post 902 Honor Guard. The Christian Mothers and Guild of St. Patrick will recite the rosary at 3 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. The Knights of Columbus will hold services at 7 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Mascetta’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 960 Penn Avenue, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or to St. Patrick Church, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg 15317. To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.