Joseph A. Zuccaro

Joseph Anthony Zuccaro of Aspinwall passed away peacefully at home on January 15, 2018 following a brief illness. Born on November 17, 1933 Joe was the youngest child of Antonina Battaglia Zuccaro and Agostino Zuccaro.  A graduate of Aspinwall High School class of 1951, Joe attended The Pennsylvania State University where he was a member of Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity. He served in the Army during the Korean War and upon his discharge entered the family business.  Joe spent his entire career as proprietor of the Brilliant Market in Aspinwall. The market, which contributed significantly to the life and vibrancy of downtown Aspinwall, was founded in 1922 by Joe’s parents. The store remained in the family until Joe’s retirement in 1999 - a 77 year history of providing quality food and impeccable service to customers and friends in Aspinwall and surrounding areas. Joe will be most remembered for the role that he played in mentoring and educating young people employed by the store over five decades. He stressed the importance of showing initiative, serving others and, most of all, that kindness matters. Joe lived the golden rule every day - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Joe’s faith was extremely important to him. He was a lifetime member of St. Scholastica Church were he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.  Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife of 55 years Barbara Shearer Zuccaro;his brothers, Anthony, August and Samuel Zuccaro and his sister, Mary Legath. He is survived by his sister, Lillian Ranii of Aspinwall and his four adoring children Beth Goetz (Lynn Yocum), Nina Waters (Lex), August Zuccaro (Susan) and Barbara Jo Murray (John). He felt blessed to have eight loving and talented grandchildren, Alex Waters (Erika), Bryan Goetz (Sarah Obuzor), Christian Goetz, Lindsay Zuccaro, Nina Zuccaro, Natalie Murray, Jack Murray and Evan Murray. Joe and Barb were also blessed with two “children” who each lived with them for a year as foreign exchange students -John Thyne (Darwin, Australia) and Maguis Fernandez (Chihuahua, Mexico). They have both stayed engaged with Joe and his family over these many years.  The family will be forever grateful to Rob Goetz for providing love and care for Joe in the past few months.  The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 28 from 2-6 PM at the WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME, 100 Center Ave., Aspinwall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 29 at 10 AM at St. Scholastica Church, 309 Brillliant Ave., Aspinwall.  Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Green Grocer Program of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, 1 North Linden Street, Duquesne, PA 15110.  

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