Joseph LaRocca

Joseph LaRocca

December 04, 1928 - August 21, 2014

Of Ross Towship, on Thursday, August 21, 2014, Beloved husband of the late Clara J. LaRocca (Parascenzo); Loving father of Michael LaRocca (Marilyn), Maria Gillette (Joseph), and the late Mark J. LaRocca; Beloved brother of Sam H. LaRocca Sr. of Hopewell Twp., Anthony J. “Jr.” LaRocca of Coraopolis, the late Edward P. LaRocca and the late Raymond D. LaRocca; Loving grandfather of Nicholas and Benjamin Gillette, and Kristina, Joel, and Kiara La Rocca.

Joe was born on Dec. 4, 1928 and grew up in Coraopolis PA. He served in the US Army from 1946-48 and was stationed in South Korea. Joe then attended Carnegie Technical Institute (currently known as Carnegie Mellon University) from which he graduated in 1953 with a BA in Architecture. As a registered architect, Joe practiced his profession for over fifty years. Early in his career, under the direction of Charles Stotz, Joe developed historically accurate details for a number of preservation projects including Heinz Hall as well as a variety of projects in Ligonier, PA. Throughout his career, many other architects looked to Joe for guidance in this area. Joe also mentored junior architects at a variety of firms. As an adjunct professor at CCAC, he taught drafting to prison inmates. He was a proud member of the American Institute of Architects and he served as president of the Pittsburgh Architectural Club. Joe retired from Lorenzi, Dodds & Gunnill at the age of 79.

Joe was a life-long learner and loved sharing what he learned. He was an avid reader and collector of art and architecture books. In his eighties, he took a series of Italian classes at the University of Pittsburgh. He enjoyed attending operas with his beloved wife Clara during their forty year marriage.

Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a loyal friend.

Friends and family received Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at T.B. Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Highway, North Hills. Joe faithfully attended Saint Sebastian Church for over fifty years, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10:30 AM.