Mr. Joseph C. Nardone, 96, of Koppel, passed away peacefully on October 8th, 2023.
Born November 1st, 1926, in Beaver Falls, he was the son of the late Charles & Rose (Petti) Nardone.
Joe graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1944. He served in the US Army from February 1st, 1945 until his honorable discharge on November 22nd, 1946 with the 86th Infantry Division stationed in the Philippines with the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, and World War II Victory Ribbon. After the military, he continued his education and earned a BS in Biology from Geneva College in 1949, and a degree in Pharmacy from Duquesne University in 1953. He owned Nardone’s Pharmacy in Koppel for 42 years which closed in 1998. He married Olga Dugan on August 27th, 1948. They were married for 73 years before her death on March 11th, 2022.
Joe “Jiggy” was a loyal family man with a strong work ethic, a great sense of humor and a strong Catholic faith. He was a man who made a difference and the drugstore was far more than a pharmacy. The soda fountain was a place for the locals to meet to solve the world’s problems. Since there was not a doctor for miles, the store was frequently filled with people needing medical assistance or advice. He became known as the “town doctor” helping countless residents and their families for decades. He loved music and science. But he is probably best known for his love of baseball. Whether he was playing or coaching, he loved the game. Through the years, he coached hundreds of young men, their children and even some of their grandchildren. He had a strong belief and commitment to molding boys into responsible young men through life lessons learned through athletics. His positive influence and guidance had a profound effect on all those around him. In 1969 he was awarded the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Dapper Dan Award for his work with the youth baseball programs in Koppel.
He was a member of the IMBS club, Koppel Wolves Club, Knight’s of Columbus and Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church.
He leaves his five children, Charles (Kara) Nardone of Hopewell & his 3 children Joe (Kelly), Gina Salama (Pete), Jessica; Mary Ann DeSanzo (Mike Heider) and her 2 children John DeSanzo and Stephanie Piechowiak (Jake) of Perrysburg, OH; Donna Hajduk (Mike) and their 2 sons Michael and Matthew of Pittsburgh; Joseph (Sandy) Nardone of Ellwood City; Bill (Lisa) & their 3 children, Adrienne, Angelina & Will of Ellwood City; 5 great grandchildren, Julia, Carlo & Joey Nardone and Hoda & Tomasina Salama; one brother-in-law, David Dugan of Beaver Falls. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Olga, and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Vita Prence, sisters-in-law Dorothy Pavlovic, Sarah Lesko, Marge and Mildred Dugan, and brothers-in law Ed Prence, Donnie and Michael Dugan.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 3-8 pm at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday at 11:30 am at Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Church with Father Jim Wehner officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Beaver Falls. Members of the Veterans Honor Guard are asked to meet at the cemetery on Saturday by 12:45 pm to conduct full military honors.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Nardone’s name may be made to the Holy Redeemer Angel Fund.
2 Comments
Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Nardone. May you memories help you through this difficult time. A kind and wonderful man and family. He will be missed. RIP Mr Nardone.
Chuck – I am sorry to hear about your Dad and send condolences to the Nardone family. Joe was Koppel baseball and I have so many memories of playing against and for teams he coached. The summer of 1970 will always be special to me.
Mike Palagallo
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