Joseph J. Rossi, Sr. of Farrell passed away at 5:21 a.m. , Thursday, June 15, 2017 , in Countryside Convalescent Home, Mercer. He was 95.

Mr. Rossi was born March 15, 1922, in Sharpsville, a son of Ardwino and Mary (Perfilio) Rossi.  He was a lifelong resident of the area and attended Sharpsville High School. Joseph proudly served his country in the US Army, 99 th Infantry Division, during WWII, achieving the rank of corporal and marksman. He was involved in seven battles, including the "Battle of the Bulge". Joseph earned several medals, including: Good Conduct Medal; WWII Victory Medal; American Campaign Medal; and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars. Following his discharge, he was employed more than 30 years at the former General American Transportation Corp. (GATX), Masury, OH.

Joseph was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell. He was also a member of the VFW Post #5286, Farrell; and the 99 th Infantry Association.

An avid outdoorsman, Joseph enjoyed hunting, fishing, training beagles for hunting and spending time at his cabin in Tidioute, PA. He also loved family gatherings and reading.

His wife the former, Theresa M. Cristelli, whom he married September 7, 1946, in St. Anthony's Church, Farrell by Fr. Geno Monti, passed away in 1988.

Surviving are: a daughter, Frances Rice and her husband David, Sharpsville; two sons, Joseph J. Rossi Jr., Farrell; and Anthony Rossi, Silver Springs, MD; three grandchildren, Vernon "Eddy" Edwin Fry III, Jennifer Rossi and Jonathan Rossi; a step granddaughter, Tara Rice; a great granddaughter, Angeleena Medovich; a sister, Nellie Vasconi and her husband Louis, Sharon; and a brother, Samuel Rossi, Ohio.

In addition to his wife, Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Rosemary Fry and her husband Vernon Edwin Fry; a son, Gene Rossi; three sisters, Lena Barca, Angeline Bennetto and Frances Alter; and three brothers, Sandy, Tony and Peter Rossi.

Calling hours will be 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday ( 06/17/2017 ) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

A prayer service will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Noon in Our Lady of Fatima, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, with Rev. Matthew Ruyechan, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.