Joseph T. Rodriguez –  Donora
Obituaries
June 14, 2021

Joseph T. Rodriguez – Donora

By obits

 
Joseph T. Rodriguez, age 99, of Donora, passed away Saturday, June 12, 2021, at Cambridge Creek-side Senior Living in Charle- roi with his loving family by his side. He was born Oct. 24, 1921, in Anmoore, W.Va., the son of the late Manuel and Delfina Bango Rodriguez. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Grazzini Rodriguez on Jan. 20, 1999; two sisters, Mary Dunn and Angelina Jericho; and three brothers, Louis, Angel and Manuel Rodriguez. Joe was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Surviving to cherish his memory are his daughter, Diane (David) Suski of Donora; three sons, Thomas (Linda) Rodriguez of Belle Vernon, Ken (Susan) Rodriguez of Lewes, Del., and Barry (Nancy) Rodriguez of Bethel Park; eight grandchildren, Tom Rodriguez, Tim (Michelle) Rodriguez, Tammy (Mike) Hamed, Tracey (Ryan) Russell, Krista (Keeran) Lewis, Becca Rodriguez, David (Shelly) Suski and Amanda (Shawn) Pratt; 16 great-grandchildren, Tom, Tatum, Taylor, Tessa, Mikey and Joey Rodriguez, Madison and Morgan Hamed, Abby, Max and Cody Russell, Greyson and Oaklynn Suski, Kamden Lewis, Hudson and Makenna Pratt; and one great-grandchild, baby Suski, due in August. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Joe was a veteran of World War II, serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army 96th Fighter Control Squadron. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He spent decades working in the auto industry at several local car dealerships and enjoyed his retirement years happily working part time at Massafra Funeral Home. Joe was a longtime member of the Donora Senior Center, where he enjoyed calling bingo each week and delivering for the Meals on Wheels program. His deep love and devotion to his Saint Andrew the Apostle church family was evident by the countless hours spent over the years volunteering his time and services whenever needed. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Cinci and Dolores, Via Quest Hospice and the staff at Cambridge Creekside for their support and the compassionate care they provided. Arrangements are being handled by ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC., 40 Second St. Ext., Donora, Pa., where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Prayers will be recited in the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Thursday June 17, 2021, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Donora Campus at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Father Kevin Dominik celebrating. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela, Pa. Full military honors will be accorded by the Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, 1 Park Manor Road, Donora, PA 15033. To be socially responsible during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to require guests to obey social distancing guidelines and personal protection guidelines which include masks within the funeral home. Thank you. To share a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com.

Shooting for the moon at California Area Elementary School
Latest News, Main
January 9, 2026
From left, first-grader Kennedy Kaminski and sixth-graders Amora Grillo and Brenley Farner work on individual projects Thursday afternoon in Susan Bitonti’s Moonshot Program class at California Elemen...
Jury finds Monessen parents not guilty of child endangerment
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 9, 2026
They were acquitted on two felony charges. By RICH CHOLODOFSKY TribLive Felicia Dugan embraced a friend and sobbed Thursday afternoon outside a Westmoreland County courtroom after a jury found her and...
Major sewage project likely ahead for Monessen
Latest News, Main
By LADIMIR GARCIA lgarcia@yourmvi.com 
January 9, 2026
Mayor Ron Mozer warns it will be a “huge logistics issue” once it begins. The Mon Valley Sewage Authority gave a presentation Thursday to Monessen City Council on what the city can expect from a poten...
North Belle Vernon officials sworn in for new year
Latest News, Main
By TAYLOR BROWN, Senior Reporter 
January 9, 2026
Mayor Craig Ambrose and four council members were sworn in. North Belle Vernon officials took care of routine reorganization business Monday night, swearing in the mayor and council members and opting...
Taxpayer Relief Act to be considered
Latest News, Main
MCKEESPORT AREA SCHOOL BOARD
By SARAH PELLIS spellis@yourmvi.com 
January 9, 2026
The board will also vote on changes to the district’s website at a meeting next week. A short McKeesport Area school board meeting was held Thursday to go over some items that are set to be voted on J...
City man gets 2 life sentences for murders
Around The Valley, Latest News, Main
January 9, 2026
Relatives mourn a mother and the “very kind and gentle soul” whose lives were cut short. By JUSTIN VELLUCCI TribLive Pennsylvania state law required an Allegheny County judge Wednesday to sentence a M...