Anthony Richard D’Amico, Sr., 92, a long-time resident of Hopewell Township, passed away on January 23rd, 2025 at the Remington Senior Living of McCandless.
He was born on December 17th, 1932, the son of the late Pietro and Assunta (Pietrantonio) D’Amico, both of whom immigrated to the USA from the Abruzzo region of Italy. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Laura Porco, Romeo D’Amico, Eleanora (Lilly) D’Amico, Mary Villela and Orlando D’Amico. He graduated from the former Leetsdale High School in Sewickley, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering receiving his Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees. He worked his way through his education as a Teaching Graduate Assistant. Both his Master’s Thesis and PhD Dissertation were published and are on the shelves of the Hillman Library at the University of Pittsburgh.
Anthony proudly served in the United States Army, and was drafted into service for our country beginning his enlistment on September 11th, 1956 serving until June 11th, 1958. Additionally after his active duty service from the U.S. Army, he was assigned to the “Atoms to Peace Program” working with the U.S. Navy on their nuclear submarine program. After completing his military assignments, he first joined the Duquesne Light Company working as an electrical engineer. He remained at DQE for more than forty years, and only missed one full day of work in all of his tenure there. He would eventually lead their nuclear and analytical services division for many years until his retirement from the company.
In addition to his educational and professional achievements, he was a long time member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Hopewell and a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and other local service organizations. However, his most committed focus was always that of his family. Whether taking his sons fishing at a local watering hole, watching his sons and grandsons play football, enjoying his daughters and granddaughters at their many dance recitals and volleyball games, babysitting his beloved grandchildren and teaching them to love math, to play and understand sports, to love our wonderful country and respect those who serve it with devotion, he was always present and enthusiastic to be a part of their happiness. To those who knew him well, he was a man with a wonderful and gentle spirit. He enjoyed his many opportunities to visit Europe, especially Italy and his parents’ small villages across the last 40 years. He was a life-long learner and virtual traveler on YouTube, reliving those many wonderful locations from the comfort of his wheelchair in his last years of life.
He is survived by his wife, Anita (Gutierrez) also of Hopewell Township, their five children: Susan D’Amico (late Daniel Castaldi) of Florida, Anthony R. D’Amico, Jr. (Lori) of California, Christine D’Amico (Phyllis Reeves) of California, John D’Amico (Karen) of Wyoming and Cynthia Dorundo (Michael) of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.
He is also survived by his grandchildren: John Castaldi, Clarissa Castldi, Zachary D’Amico, Sarah D’Amico, Mark D’Amico, Kaitlyn Dorundo, Michael Dorundo II and Samantha Dorundo.
Family visitation will be on Monday, January 27th beginning at 10:30 a.m. until the time of departing prayers at 11:30 a.m. in the Anthony Mastrofrancesco Funeral Home, 2026 McMinn Street, Aliquippa. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 12 noon at Our Lady of Fatima Church of Hopewell Township. Internment will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
