Reverend Father Joseph A. Mastrangelo, 92, of New Castle, PA retired and devoted priest entered into eternal rest and glory Thursday evening January 23, 2008 in Jameson Care Center, New Castle, PA. He was born December 18, 1915 in New Castle, PA and was the son of the late Antonio & Teresa Colao Mastrangelo.

Father Mastrangelo as a student in St. Vitus School exhibited exceptional gifts in spirituality and scholarship. In 1928, he entered St. Fideles Seminary and in 1934 he entered St. Vincent Seminary. He graduated from both places with Magna Cum Laude. His hearts desire to be a priest came true on June 10, 1940 as he was ordained a priest by the late Bishop Boyle at St. Vincent Archabby.

His first appointment was as assistant pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Braddock, PA. In July of 1943, he was transferred to St. Michael Church in Butler, PA. His third and last appointment as assistant Pastor was at Madonna of Jerusalem Church in Sharpsburg, PA. He was deeply overjoyed to become Pastor of St. Lawrence Church, Hillsville, PA from June 1950 to January 1956. In June of 1956, he was named Pastor of Regina Coeli Church of the Northside of Pittsburgh, PA with the Missions of Mary Immaculate and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. In June 1962, he became Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Braddock, PA. In July 1964 he was appointed Pastor of St. James Church, West End, Pittsburgh, PA. On July 31, 1968 he was appointed Pastor of St. Agatha Church, Bridgeville, PA until he retired on September 30, 1990. Upon retirement he lived at the family residence in New Castle, PA. He continued to call the people of God to a deeper appreciation of God's love by ministering to the Churches of New Castle.

Father Mastrangelo held many offices and appointments. They are as follows:

Diocesan:

*Deanery Moderator of the CYO's in Lawrence County

*Deanery Director for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Men

*Member of Diocesan School Board

*Member of Board, St. Anthony School for Exceptional Children

*Member of Advisory Board, Director of Vocations Office

*Member of Board of Clergy Pension Plan

*Vicar of Clergy - instrumental in conceiving this office

*Vicar of Delinquents - appointed by the late Cardinal John Wright, then Bishop of Pittsburgh

*Special Chaplain assigned to Juvenile Court work in association with the City of Pittsburgh Police Academy

*Graduate of City of Pittsburgh Police Academy

*Chairman, Synodal Commission on Pastoral Government

*Canonical visitor of Convents

*1940 Class took part in the First Latin Rite Concelebrated Mass in the Pittsburgh Diocese after Vatican II. The late Cardinal Wright as Celebrant, St. Paul's Cathedral

*Part-time Chaplain, Woodville and Mayview State Hospitals

*Judge of Marriage Tribunal of Diocese of Pittsburgh for 25 years

Community:

*Member of Board of Directors of Auberle Memorial Home for Boys, McKeesport, PA

*Member of Allegheny County Committee for Rehabilitation of Delinquents

*Member of the First Commission of Human Relations - Appointed by the late Governor David L. Lawrence, then Mayor of Pittsburgh

*Member of Board of Directors of the South Hills Community of Older Adults

*Member of Board for Clinical Pastoral Education, Mayview Hospital

*Member of Board of Chartiers Valley Commission on Human Relations

*Member of Advisory Board of the Planning Commission of Bridgeville

*Member of Bridgeville Building Authority

*Recipient of Chartiers Valley Commission on Human Relations Man of the Year Award 1979

*Instituted the Annual Gourmet Dinner to aid the Guild for the Blind

*First Non-Rotarian to receive the Paul Harris Fellow Award for Service to Others Above Self

*Weekly Mass at the Country Meadows Nursing Home

*Spearheaded the Senior Citizens High-Rise Complex in Bridgeville

Father Mastrangelo is survived by a sister-in-law Lena Mastrangelo of New Castle, PA; nieces and nephews Father Mario Mastrangelo O.F.M. Cap - Puerto Rico, Frank Mastrangelo of New Castle, PA, Father Nicholas Mastrangelo of St. Therese Church, Munhall, PA, Theresa Moses of New Castle, PA, John Mastrangelo of New Castle, PA, Rosemary Banko of New Castle, PA, Louis Mastrangelo of New Castle, PA, Anthony Mastrangelo of New Castle, PA and Elaine LaFay of New Castle, PA and is also survived by many great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters Mary DiMatteo, Lena Mastrangelo and Katherine Mastrangelo; four brothers Nick Mastrangelo, Louis Mastrangelo, Frank Mastrangelo and John Mastrangelo; a nephew George Mastrangelo and a niece Camille White.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 26, 2008 from 1:00-4:00 PM & from 6:00-9:00 PM and Sunday, January 27, 2008 from 1:00-4:00 PM & from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., located at 941 S. Mill Street, New Castle, PA. There will also be visitation Monday morning, January 28, 2008 from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at St. Vitus Church, New Castle, PA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 28, 2008 at 11:00 AM at St. Vitus Church, New Castle, PA. Bishop David A. Zubik will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Vitus Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Joseph A. Mastrangelo Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Vitus School, 915 S. Jefferson Street, New Castle, PA 16101.