Contractor Amore 'built on honesty, reliability'
When Vincent Amore spoke about the home building industry or real estate assessments, politicians from congressmen to local municipal officials listened.
They knew he told the truth and was never afraid to voice his opinions, said John Auciello, executive director of the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh.
Mr. Amore, 73, a partner with his brother, Robert, in Amore Management Co. of Monroeville, died of liver cancer Saturday, April 20, 2002, at his Churchill home.
Mr. Amore's opinions bore weight, not just because of his honesty, but because of his leadership in the industry, Auciello said.
He had served as president of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (now BAMP) in 1963 and of the Pennsylvania Builders Association in 1968, said J. Roger Glunt of Glunt Building Co. in Turtle Creek.
"Vince treated his customers with respect, whether they were buying one of his houses or as a tenant in one of his apartments," said Glunt, a former president of BAMP and PBA and the National Association of Home Builders.
"He was a friend, a mentor and one who understood the (home building) industry, a champion and a leader in our industry."
Auciello also called Mr. Amore, who served as president of the Apartment Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh in 1976-77, his mentor.
"He helped me a lot, and he always spoke what he thought," Auciello said. "He was a personality, one who was never afraid to voice his opinion, whether it was on how real estate should be taxed, to the management of rental properties."
Auciello said Mr. Amore was quick to help others in the industry, recalling how several years ago an investor attempting to purchase his first apartment was guided by Mr. Amore, who helped him obtain the financing necessary.
Mr. Amore's other accomplishments and awards included being named BAMP Home Builder of the Year in 1969, Man of the Year by the Monroeville Jaycees in 1990 and receiving the BAMP Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.
A civil engineering graduate of the University of Pittsburgh in 1952, Mr. Amore joined his father, Antonio, in establishing Amore Construction Co. in 1953.
"Our father was a stonemason-bricklayer who joined with Vince initially in doing remodeling work, but soon they branched into building single-family houses on odd lots," said Robert Amore, who joined the firm in 1954.
The company built houses in Northview Farms in Butler County, as well as houses in Beaver County, the Greensburg area of Westmoreland County and later in the Pittsburgh region. Mr. Amore developed townhouses and apartments, such as the Bryn Mawr Apartments in Forest Hills.
He was devoted to his family, spending time with them whenever possible, including vacation trips to Florida.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Cassidy Amore; children, Patrick F. and Vanessa L. Amore, both at home; Vincent J. Amore of California, Carol J. Amore of New York, Glenn Amore of Florida, and Gary E. Amore of Monroeville; granddaughter, Angela Amore; and brother, Robert Amore.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today at Thomas L. Nied Funderal Home Inc., 7441 Washington St., Swissvale. Blessing Service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society.
