George (Woody) J. Wood
Passed away Saturday, April 1, 2023 at UMPC East Hospital at the age of 85. George passed away peacefully after many years of painful suffering with Cancer. By his side was his beloved Wife Justina (Judy) Wood of 65 years, his son Mark and Daughter-in-Law Diane.
George was always so proud of his humble beginning being from North Bessemer, PA. He was the last of the Five (5) Wood brothers he would say. George, missing his brothers always, can finally be with them again. And all who knew the “Wood Boys” know that heaven will become a much louder place.
Daughter, Julianna who passed away in 2019, will be there to welcome her Father into Heaven. George is also survived by his grandsons, Joshua and Daniel Clare, sister-in-law Lorraine Wood, and many nieces and nephews.
George loved golf, bowling, softball, the Steelers, and just life as a whole. He spent many years bartending at Little Tony’s Restaurant in Downtown Pittsburgh. He was filled with laughter, jokes and so many stories of his life. He also spent more that 40 years in the sign business.
George was most proud of his military service. In the Unites States Army, George became attached and was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. Missing his Airborne jumps he celebrated it skydiving one more time.
George was loved and respected and will be genuinely missed by everyone who knew him. George will once again find his place in the sky.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Age 84, passed away peacefully in his Verona home, March 30, 2023, with daughter and caretaker Gina at his side. He was born in Pittsburgh on February 15 to Ralph and Jane (Lemme) Yohe. He attended Westinghouse High School where he met the love of his life Jeanne (Seminora). John was Sonny to his brothers and sisters, Dad or Pops to his children, Pappy or Poppy to his grandchildren but he was most pleased to be known as loving and dedicated husband to Jeanne for 62 years. All that have met John knew him to have a zest for life that made spending time with him entertaining and memorable. He was at his best when he was with family and cherished friends, enjoying some fine food, sharing a glass or two of wine, and telling jokes and stories. In his prime, his “performances” had all in the room laughing to the point of crying. John was first and foremost a family man, willing do anything necessary to provide his wife and children everything they needed and many of the things they wanted. He was a loving father to Joe (Sharon) Yohe of Austin, TX, John Jr. (Regina) of Abington, PA and Gina Yohe of Verona. He led by example, showing them the value of honesty, loyalty, concern for his fellow man , all while working hard to play hard. One of his passions in life was being grandfather to Angie (Brad) Weyant of Austin, Chris (Christa) Yohe of Denver, CO, Hannah Yohe of Kennett Square, PA and Grace Yohe of Abington. John recently became great grandfather to Luke of Denver and AJ of Austin. He will be deeply missed by the many who spent lively days and evening is his company, a list too long to publish here. John is survived by his brother Richard, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by wife Jeanne, and the following brothers and sisters: Ralph Jr, Mary Jane Anderson, Lucille, Sister Pearl, Geraldine and Ronald. John’s family and friends are welcome to join the celebration of a memorial Mass, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 1 p.m. at Holy Family parish, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 825 2nd Street Verona, PA 15147. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association.
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.
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.
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.