Amendolea

Joseph Amendolea, 90, of Butler died peacefully Wednesday at Good Samaritan Hospice in Cabot after complications due to pneumonia.

He was born April 4, 1919, in Queens Junction, Pa., the son of the late Domenick and Maria Rose (Zappia) Amendolea.

Joe was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II in Europe as a staff sergeant and squad leader with the 326th Glider Infantry Regiment, 13th Airborne Division. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Theater Service Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with a Bronze Star.

He was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 170 and the VFW Post 249. He enjoyed bowling and belonged to the VFW Bowling League until the age of 89.

His picture-perfect garden, which he still maintained until his death, was a joy to all who knew him. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates fan.

He was loved and will be missed by all who were fortunate to have him as part of their lives.

He retired from Armco in 1981 after 35 years as an equipment operator.

He is survived by his daughter, Rosanne (Armand) Natili of Butler; his son, Joel W. (Sylvia) Amendolea of Tonawanda, N.Y.; three grandchildren, D'Ante Natili, Regina Amendolea and Joseph Amendolea; a sister, Christine Keller of Butler; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Martha "Biddy" Elizabeth Queen Amendolea, who died June 1, 1999; four sisters; and three brothers.

<B>AMENDOLEA</B> — Friends of Joseph Amendolea, who died Wednesday, June 10, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at <B>Young Funeral Home</B>, Butler. Military services by VFW Post 249 and American Legion Post 778 will be at 8 p.m. Friday following the visitation with the funeral service immediately following.Interment will be in the Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville, Pa.Contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Hospice Unit at Concordia, 134 Marwood Drive, Cabot, PA 16023.Information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.