Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday for Philip A. Dalessandro of Victoria Drive in Hermitage, who passed away at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2010 following an extended illness. He was 87.

Mr. Dalessandro was born on February 24, 1923 in Farrell, Pa. the son of Pasquale and Rosina Sciortino Dalessandro.

He graduated from Farrell High School in 1941 and entered the United States Navy May 24, 1944. A decorated veteran of WWII, he served aboard the USS Fullam DD 474, a Fletcher-class destroyer that was part of the US Navy flotilla at Okinawa and Iwo Jima. He was honorably discharged on February 4, 1946 with the American Theater Ribbon, Pacific Theater Ribbon with two bronze stars, and ultimately the WWII Victory Medal.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, Farrell.

As a young man he worked as a pin setter in Farrell for the Carnegie Steel Works office bowling league and as a Carpenters assistant for Onofrio Tripoli.

He retired with 38 years of service from the former Sharon Transformer division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation where he had worked in the E40 department as a mechanical fitter and as a move man. He was a familiar face at his brothers Pizza Shop, Luigi's in Hermitage where he enjoyed working alongside his family for many years.

Following his retirement from the Sharon Westinghouse, he worked as a prescription delivery person for the former Eckerd Pharmacy, Hermitage.

A baseball fan, he enjoyed reminiscing about the days when he was a standout pitcher for the Hamilton Avenue Renegades. He also enjoyed coaching Hickory Little League for many years.

Mr. Dalessandro enjoyed gardening and sharing his home grown vegetables annually.

When asked what his greatest crowning successes was, he would emphatically say, 'having my four children all graduate from college'.

He was a charter member of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, and was active at one time with their special activities group.

A great husband, father, grandfather, and brother he enjoyed cooking for his family on his charcoal grill in his back yard.

His wife the former Marybelle Glenn whom he married on October 22, 1955, passed away on April 3, 2009.

He is survived by his daughter, Marla J. Dalessandro, Hermitage; three sons, David G. Dalessandro and his wife Beverly, Orwell, Oh, Gary A. Dalessandro and his wife Cyndi, Sharpsville; and John P. Dalessandro and his wife Jennifer, Pittsburgh; three brothers, Major Dalessandro, Farrell; Anthony 'Tony' Dalessandro and his wife Anna Mae, Hermitage; Louis Dalessandro and his wife Dorothy, Sharon; six grandchildren, David, Susan, Cristen, Brianna, Sienna, and Lucas Dalessandro. He was also survived by many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death his parents and a brother, Joseph A. Dalessandro.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggest memorial contributions be made in his memory to Notre Dame School, 2335 Highland Road, Hermitage 16148.

Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (6-2-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may send condolences by visiting the web site at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Services: Mass of Christian burial at 1 p.m. Thursday (6-3-10) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with the deceased nephew Rev. Dennis G. Dalessandro, Pastor of Saint Andrew Catholic Church, Waynesboro, PA., and Rev. Jeffery J. Noble, pastor of the church as concelebrants.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage. Full military honors will be rendered at the cemetery by the Honor Guards of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6233, West Middlesex, Farrell Post 5286, and American Legion Post 432, Wheatland.