Gaetano "Guy" Gargarella's Obituary
Gaetano “Guy” Gargarella, 77, passed away peacefully at Forbes Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA on July 18, 2024. Blessed with the perfect name, he was always the nice guy, the funny guy, the guy who showed up to lend a hand, the wise guy, the guy everyone wanted to be around. He was “THE GUY.”
Born in Morgantown, West Virginia, on October 18, 1947, Guy grew up playing baseball and basketball, messing with his brother Paul and sister Frances, and getting into regular mischief. He met his future wife, Diann, at West Virginia University, where he studied Communications, played cards, drank beer, hosted radio shows, and served as a sports announcer. Known for his deep and boisterous voice, he would later embarrass his kids at their sporting events by cheering from the sidelines, yell at “Diney” from the basement, and sing and play guitar as the leader in a myriad of “rock” bands throughout his life.
Landing a job with IBM after his time in the service with the US Airforce, Guy began a successful career as a computer programmer and owned his own business, Quorum,
for many years. Lesser known, but equally important jobs included: amateur magician, neighborhood terrorizing Dracula, rhythm guitar player for various Pittsburgh Ukelele Clubs, excellent musician, best friend to Dave McDermott, practical joker, VW van owner, high level golfer, loving (and sometimes complaining) husband, hilarious brother, friend, uncle, athlete, little league and basketball coach, wood worker, animal lover, corny joke teller, and hearty laugher. His all-time favorite job was as a deeply caring, funny and doting father and pappy.
Guy left his mark wherever he went and was ALWAYS the biggest personality in the room. He remained a good friend to all who knew him, and he will be forever missed.
Guy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diann Gargarella, brother Paul Gargarella, sister-in-law Jude Gargarella, sister-in-law Shirley Miller, brother-in-law Joel Miller, sister-in-law Kimberly Miller, and brother-in-law Patrick Conrad, children: Gabriel Gargarella, Elisa Gargarella, Gianina (Gargarella) Downs and son-in-law Gianni Downs, & grandchildren: Lucia, Giovanni, Mila, and Marian. Guy was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Catherine Gargarella and his sister Frances (Gargarella) Conrad.
Friends and family will be received Monday, July 22, 2024 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road Pittsburgh, PA 15236. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 10 am in Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. https://www.jeffersonmemorial.com/
Memorial Contributions on behalf of Guy and his family can be made to Animal Advocates at www.animaladvocates.net
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