Plumber built a reputation as a workaholic

Dave Carosso gave new meaning to the word "workaholic."

While vacationing with his family in Ocean City, Md., Mr. Carosso was found cleaning the windows and sweeping the floors of the condominium in which they were staying.

David J. Carosso Sr., of Forest Hills, a master plumber who regularly put in 10- to 12-hour days -- often seven days a week -- died of a heart attack on Monday, June 2, 2003, in the Forbes Regional Hospital, Monroeville. He was 74.

"It took us months to convince my father to take a vacation," said his daughter, Kathy Wilson. "It was one of the few vacations Dad took. And to find him working around a rented condo was a bit much.

"If we let him have his way, he would've only stayed a day or two at Ocean City, instead of a week. He was always anxious to get back to his shop."

What started out as a small plumbing business that Mr. Carosso handled from the garage at his home became a thriving company that would require larger quarters.

In 1960, Mr. Carosso acquired a building on Brown Avenue in Turtle Creek, and he named the business Carosso & Sons Plumbing after his sons, David Jr. and Guy, joined the company.

"In later years, Dad handled most of the plumbing work inside the homes, while my brothers handled the larger jobs, which included working on sewers and excavations," Wilson said.

Born and raised in Forest Hills, Mr. Carosso was one of three children whose Italian immigrant father was employed by Westinghouse Electric.

As a student at Turtle Creek High School, he played baseball and football while working a number of odd jobs after school and on weekends that would eventually qualify him to be a plumber.

"Even as a kid, Dad found work to do," Wilson said.

For relaxation, Mr. Carosso had a cabin in Apollo, where he hunted and fished.

In the early 1950s, he met at a dance Ruth McKeen, who was employed as a secretary by the Plymouth Oil Co. "Dad was taken in by Mom's looks and Mom was taken in by his looks," Wilson said. "They were married in 1952."

Although Mr. Carosso could be tough on the job and on those who worked with him, his children recalled him as having a sense of humor and as a man devoted to his church.

"As kids, our parents saw that we attended Sunday school at the Pitcairn Pentecostal Church," Wilson said. "And it wasn't easy getting six kids ready for church."

In later years, the Carossos joined the Assembly of God Church in Monroeville, where Mr. Carosso would attend if he wasn't called on an emergency.

"The only time you could find my father relaxing was when he was sitting on our back porch for hours at a time," Wilson said.

Mr. Carosso is survived by his wife, Ruth L. McKeen Carosso; two daughters, Karen Perret, of Freedom, Beaver County, and Kathy Wilson, of McCandless; three sons, Guy Carosso and David Carosso Jr., both of Turtle Creek; and John Carosso, of Export, Westmoreland County; three grandchildren; a brother, Raymond Carosso, of Florida; and a sister, Gwen Wilkerson, of New Jersey.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Nancy Carosso.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today in the Jobe Funeral Home Inc., corner of Shaw and Triboro avenues, Turtle Creek, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday.