Construction company owner Joseph Massaro passes away at age 79

The Pittsburgh skyline is dotted with buildings Joe Massaro built.

His legacy, however, goes beyond brick and mortar, his family said.

Mr. Massaro, who established his own construction company, was a community leader who served on the boards of several institutions, and his battle with Alzheimer's disease spurred hundreds of thousands of dollars for research.

“He was a very proud man,” said Alex Gardella of New York, Mr. Massaro's eldest granddaughter. “He wasn't proud of his own personal success. He was proud of the success he was able to share with his family. … He was a really incredible man.”

Joseph A. Massaro Jr. of Oakland died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015. He was 79.

The son of Joseph and Mary Massaro, he was born Jan. 14, 1936, in East Liberty.

He graduated from Central Catholic High School and earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

After finishing college, he began work as a contractor. He married his wife, Carol, on Oct. 1, 1960, at Holy Innocents Parish in Sheraden. The couple had four children.

“In 1967, he said, ‘I think I'm going to start my own construction company.' I thought, ‘Knowing Joe, we won't starve,' ” Carol Massaro said. “I had this faith in him that he wouldn't let us down.”

Over the years, the Massaro Corp. has built dozens of schools, office buildings and medical facilities.

“He built the company from nothing,” his wife said.

Mr. Massaro was president of the Pittsburgh Opera and was a board member of the St. Anthony School for Exceptional Children, Central Catholic High School, the Riverview School District and La Roche College.

He transferred control of the company to his children about 10 years ago. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's eight years ago, his family said.

In 2011, his wife established the Joseph A. Massaro Alzheimer's Research Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation. It has raised $500,000, Carol Massaro said.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Linda Massaro of Oakland; sons, Joseph Massaro and David Massaro, both of Fox Chapel, and Steven Massaro of the South Hills; and 15 grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday in John A. Freyvogel Sons Inc., 4900 Centre Ave. in Shadyside. A funeral Mass will be said 9:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul's Cathedral in Oakland.

Tony Raap is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7827 or traap@tribweb.com.