Joseph C. Moore

Joseph C. Moore, a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, passed away at his home in Mt. Washington on December 31, 2025. He was 82.

Joe was born to Angela M. “Mary” (Vitale) Moore and Thomas M. Moore on June 25, 1943, the third of four children. From childhood on, Joe had a big personality and an even bigger heart, lending a helping hand to many, even until his last days. He especially cherished family. When his younger sister Gemma was born with Down Syndrome, he insisted they sleep in the same room so he could look after her. After his father’s death, he helped to ensure that his mother and sister were cared for. His protective instincts and devotion continued until Mary’s death in 1996, and Gemma’s in 2017. And when his older brother Nick was paralyzed after a fall, Joe frequently stepped in, no matter the hour, to assist him and his wife, Dee.

Family, food, friends, and fun were the cornerstones of Joe’s life. For many years, Joe was a Food Service Supervisor at Western Center (formerly Western State School and Hospital) near Canonsburg, PA, but his culinary expertise truly shone when applied to family celebrations. Whether expertly carving Thanksgiving turkey or Easter ham, using knives stored in the custom-made chef’s knife roll designed and made by his mother, or slicing up dozens of pounds of ham and salsiccia for her famous Easter ‘sausage cakes,’ if anything food-related was happening and Joe was involved, a memorable time was all but guaranteed. Joe also enjoyed watching football, golfing with friends, tending to his tomatoes and fruit trees, joking and debating, and had a gift for gambling. He excelled at craps and poker.

Joe will be remembered for many things, particularly his love of family and friends, and for his his absolutely unique, infectious, unforgettable laugh, which is now a treasured memory for his loving son Joseph M. Moore of Columbus, OH; brother-in-law Thomas H. Bishop of Alliance, OH; and several nieces and nephews. Joe is also survived by his former wife Judy Roland of Alpharetta, GA; granddaughters Madelyne and Marissa Moore of Columbus, OH, and Brittany Hughes and Jacie Deatley of Conway, SC; great-nieces and great-nephews; his special friends Sheryl Chopak of Scotland and Mark Schaeffer of Mt. Washington; and Vito, his beloved Pug.

In addition to his parents and sister Gemma, Joe was preceded in death by his brother Nicholas P. Moore, sister Angela M. Bishop, son Steven T. Moore, sister-in-law Dolores “Dee" Moore, and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Family and friends will be received on Friday, January 9 from 9:00 - 11:00 am at WM. SLATER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 301 Virginia Ave., Mt. Washington. Afterward, Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon at St Mary of the Mount Catholic Church, Mary Queen of Peace Parish. Burial will immediately follow at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Merakey Allegheny Valley School, Development Department, 1996Ewings Mill Rd., Coraopolis, PA 15108 or via online https://avs.merakey.org/donate-now.html   www.slaterfuneral.com