Joseph J. Cosentino Jr.

Joseph J. Cosentino, Jr. “Pappy Joe” passed away on Friday August 20, 2021, after a long and joyful life at the age of 93 years old.  He was born in North Side, PA in 1927 – And proud of it.  Not Pittsburgh, North Side.  He excelled in many different sports throughout his school years – including football and boxing – and gave all that up prior to his senior year in high school to enlist in the Army during World War II.  After induction testing, he was chosen to be trained and served in the Code Breakers Division of Army Intelligence (He was a very smart guy).  When the war ended, Joe returned home and finished his high school education.  After entering into the work world, Joe decided he missed playing football and proceeded to play Semi-pro Football for the next few years with teams such as the Manchester Alleys, the Squawker’s Club and Art Rooney’s semi-pro team – The Rooney Reds.  He was proud to say that when he played against Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas,  during Unita’s 8 game stint with the Bloomfield Rams, Joe chased Unitas all over Arsenal Field and while Joe’s team lost, the Rams only could manage to score 6 points on his defense.  It was during these years that Joe met Ruth, his future wife.  Once they were married and the first few of the eventual six kids came along, he drove a truck during the day and took college classes at night.  Eventually, he got a job in medical sales, a profession he would be in for the rest of his life.  But, there were some bumps in the road and at the age of 52, the medical supply company he worked for pulled out of the PA market.  With a family to provide for, Joe and Ruth scraped together what money they could and started their own medical supply company in the basement of their house, thus the start of CPR Medical.  “Mr. C” enjoyed watching his softball teams play – CPR Medical and Tens Plus – never missing a game or tournament.  Even more so, he loved watching his kids and grandkids participate in their various sports and activities and traveled the country to see them.  It was what he lived for.  He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth J. (Bia) Cosentino, daughter Maggie Cosentino DiPerna (Vic), father Joseph J. Cosentino, Sr., mother Anna M. (Friel) Cosentino, uncle Francis J. Friel, brothers Charles, William and James, and sister Carole Egerter.  He is survived by his daughter Kathy (Robert) Garrison, sons Bruce Cosentino, Joe (Jeannie) Cosentino, Fran (Becky) Cosentino, Mark (Loren) Cosentino, sister Joann Curtin, and brother Bernard (Charmaine) Cosentino.  Pappy Joe is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren who will miss him dearly.  Family and friends will be received from 6-8 on Thursday and 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday in the FRANK F. GIGLER FUNERAL HOME, INC., Robert P. Karish, Supervisor, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell, (724) 335-6500.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church, Lower Burrell.  Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park.  THE COSENTINO FAMILY KINDLY REQUIRES THAT ALL VISTORS WEAR MASKS.  Condolences are welcome at www.giglerfuneralhome.com.

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