Joseph T. Capone

Age 98, formerly of Homewood, on June 16, 2021; beloved husband of Rosemarie (Morelli); loving father of James (Joni),Thomas (Martha), Virginia Bradley (George), Marie O'Connell, Joseph (Sharon), Victor (T.C. Brown), Elizabeth Worrall  (Judd), and Patricia (Enrico Spadaro); brother of Virginia Palguta, and the late Carmen and Valentino Capone. Also survived by 23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Friends received Thursday, June 24th, 2-4 and 6-8PM at CHARLES W. TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, INC., 11110 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills; Funeral Mass at Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, St. Bartholomew Church, Friday, June 25th,10AM; Interment with military honors at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

PFC Joseph T. Capone served with the 104th “Timberwolf” Infantry Division, 415th Regiment, Company E, during World War II in the European Theatre of Operations as a rifleman scout. During his tour of duty, he participated in 4 major campaigns in Northern France, the Netherlands, Ardennes, and Rhineland. He was subsequently awarded the Bronze Star (with cluster), Purple Heart (2 clusters) Combat Infantryman Badge, Presidential Unit Citation (with cluster), and Good Conduct Medal. In 2009, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall.

After the war, he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in teaching. As a result of injuries suffered during his time in the service, he walked with leg braces and a cane.  He was not hired by the Pittsburgh Board of Education because of his “handicap”.  Attorneys acting on his behalf sued the district and won a landmark decision. He was ultimately hired as a Pittsburgh Public School teacher and taught business at Westinghouse High School for 35 years, and later inducted into the Westinghouse High School Wall of Fame in 2010.

Joe was one of the founding organizers of the Pittsburgh Rockets Drum and Bugle Corps, serving as the units’ business manager for 27 years. He was inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 1980. 

An avid duckpin bowler, Joe was nationally ranked with numerous 300 games.

He was a member of the ELKS for 30 years, serving a term as Grand Exalted Ruler for Lodge 577.

Joe became interested in performing magic after being introduced to it as a form of physical therapy while recovering from his war injuries. It became a life-long passion with him performing shows under the title “The Magic of Joseph”.

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