Ernest U. Orsatti
Age 99, of Penn Hills, passed away Friday, March 17, 2023. He was born October 12, 1923 in Carpinone, in the Italian province of Abruzzi. Ernie came to Pittsburgh in 1933 as a dual citizen with his late mother and late sister Nora. He was the son of the late Benjamin and Nicolina Orsatti. Ernie was a freshman at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) when he was drafted into the US Army during WWII. Ernie served with the 749th Coast Artillery Battalion in the European Theater of Operations in Iceland, England, France, Belgium, Holland, the Netherlands and Germany. He saw extensive combat serving under Generals Montgomery, Bradley and Patton. After the war Ernie continued his studies in engineering in Chicago where he met his wife Dorothy of almost 70 years until her passing in 2019. Ernie, Dorothy and Nora operated the Eastwood Athletic Club in Penn Hills for many years until 1974. Eastwood served as the meeting place for many young people during the summer months. After the Pool closed Ernie began working for the Catholic Cemeteries Association where he designed and supervised the construction of mausoleums throughout the Diocese of Pittsburgh and beyond. He continued this work after his formal retirement as a consultant until he was 97 ½ years old. Ernie was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and former past Grand Knight. Ernie was the patriarch of the Orsatti Family and is survived by his two sons; Ernest B. (Ingrid) Orsatti and Dino (Rose) Orsatti. He is also survived by five grandchildren; Benjamin (Grace) Orsatti, Michael (Grace) Orsatti, Alyson Orsatti, Hollie (Jonathan) Hoover and Heather (Johnny) Koehlein; Also survived by great-grandsons; Nicholas Orsatti and John Paul Orsatti and great-grandaughter; Anamaria Orsatti.
Friends will be received at William F. Gross Funeral Home, LTD., 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.) Penn Hills, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Mother of Good Counsel Church St. Mary Magdalene Parish, 7705 Bennett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 at 10 a.m.
Anna Lagrotteria
Age 97, of Penn Hills, passed away Friday, March 17, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Vincenzo Lagrotteria; mother of Vincenzo Lagrotteria, Dominic (Lorraine) Lagrotteria, and the late Palma, and Catherine Lagrotteria; grandmother of Dominic, Philip, and Vincenzo; great-grandmother of Noah and Alessi; step-grandmother of Maryann and the late Anthony; sister of Caterina DiDomenico, Concetta Liberto, and Maria Gullo. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was a longtime member of St. Gerard Majella Church.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Monday, March 20, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish St. Susanna Church, 200 Stotler Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 at 10 a.m.
Peter M. Lamonna
Age 93, of Penn Hills, passed away peacefully with his family by his side, Friday, March 10, 2023. Beloved father of Lisa (Michael) Waite, Lee Lamonna, and Leslie Lamonna; grandfather of Tiffany Seese, Steven Waite, Matthew Waite, Danielle Ferrante, and Julie Cerra; great-grandfather of six. Peter was the last surviving of his 12 siblings.
Service and Interment Private.
Catherine “Kay” Wharton (LaFrance)
Of Penn Hills, formerly of East Liberty, joined the rest of her family to meet her maker on Monday, March 13, 2023. Daughter of the late Albert, Sr. and Emma LaFrance; sister of her late brothers Al, Jr. and Jim LaFrance. She is survived by four nieces and six nephews (three of whom are deceased), many great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews. Kay was an active volunteer throughout her life and a longtime member of St. Bartholomew Church. She worked at Western Union, PA Engineering, and retired from UPMC.
Friends received at William F. Gross Funeral Home 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills on Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Prayers will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jude Parish, St. Raphael Church 1118 Chislett St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206 at 11 a.m.
William "Bill" D. Brownlee
Age 92, of Penn Hills, formerly of Point Breeze passed away at home surrounded by family on March 6, 2023. Beloved husband of Phyllis, loving father of Carrie Horton, and proud grandfather of Jacob Horton. Bill graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in metallurgy and worked for Blawnox followed by Rockwell Manufacturing. Bill’s favorite interests were basketball and tennis in his younger years and a lifelong passion for playing duplicates bridge with his various partners. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.