Jules ”Jay” Labarthe

Jules “Jay” was born in 1937 to Jules Labarthe Sr. and Mary Walker Labarthe. He grew up in  Pittsburgh with his sibling Laurie (born Robert) and attended Aspinwall High School.  He and his wife Carroll raised their family in Fox Chapel and more recently, lived in Ligonier and Longwood at Oakmont.

A graduate of Cornell University’s Architecture program (’59), Jay was elected freshman Class President and President of The Quill and Dagger, Men’s Honor Society. He was a member of the Sigma Phi fraternity and has maintained lifelong ties to many brothers and classmates. He met the love of his life at Cornell, marrying Carroll Olton Labarthe just after they both graduated.

Jay found joy in his work as an architect, especially through the cooperative team nature of the artistic endeavor. His career began as a partner of Fullerton/Labarthe. He was the Director of Design and Engineering at PPG-Feal and finally a founder and managing principal of The Design Alliance between 1977 and 1995. He retired in 2021. His major team projects include Alcoa’s Corporate Center and The Heinz World and North America Headquarters. He was the principal design architect of The Watson Institute and School, the Corporate Headquarters of CORE (Center for Organ Recovery and Education) and The Education Center at Fort Ligonier as well as residential projects in Ligonier and Pittsburgh. 

Jay enjoyed playing tennis and golf. On the course he opted to swiftly hike, never using a golf cart. Keeping up with him, even in a cart, could be a challenge and he approached his life with vigor. He shared his love for the outdoors with his family, leading his wife and children on seemingly treacherous journeys into the backcountry of National Parks both in the US and Canada. 

His two children were with him in his final week. During transport home to Longwood at Oakmont for hospice care, he raised his right hand, waved and said “Goodbye." A colleague mentioned that “he always knew the right time to get up and leave the room.”  He passed peacefully, in control of his destiny to the end.

Friends mentioned that he was steadfastly dedicated to his wife, evidenced by always seeing them together holding hands. Jay was a life-long learner on diverse topics, always curious, analytical and inquisitive. “When Jay spoke, everyone listened. His thoughts and his delivery were trademarks that touched us all,” said a friend. His quick wit and humor— the way he would catch you off guard with a humorous observation, a smile and a shared laugh were characteristics all who encountered him enjoyed. But the trait most noted was his kindness and care for others. Professionally he was a mentor to many and personally he was the one you could count on if in need.

Jay is survived by his wife, Carroll, their daughter Leslie (Gregory) Coyle, their son Jules (Jennifer) Labarthe and their granddaughter Chloe Labarthe.

Jay Labarthe wished to thank the ICU staffs at St. Margaret's, Passavant, paramedics (thanks for the helicopter ride) and most particularly the staff and his neighbors at Longwood at Oakmont. A Memorial Service will be held at 11am on May 25, 2024 at Calvary Episcopal Church, 315 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 with a reception following in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, Jay suggested donations in his memory to CORE | Center for Organ Recovery & Education 

Arrangements by Weddell-Ajak Funeral Home, Aspinwall.

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