George P. Rosato

George P. Rosato passed away peacefully on September 13, 2021.  He was born on September 23, 1928.  George is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Anita, six brothers and two sisters.  George is survived by his children, Deborah Rosato, Barbara Koury (John), Pamela DeSimone (Dan) and Gregory Rosato, four grandchildren: Jennifer, Sammy, Doug and Luca, four great grandchildren and two sisters.  Friends will be received at Hart Funeral Home Inc., Murrysville on September 23 from 4-8 PM followed by a Funeral Mass at Mother of Sorrows Church in Murrysville on September 24 at 10 AM. 

After the death of his natural mother just after his birth, George was adopted by Gregorio and Chiara Rosato, recent Italian immigrants.  He entered grade school without knowing how to speak English since only Italian was spoken in his home.  After a time, he came to know his original family, the Del Cimmuto’s, who became true brothers and sisters to him.  In the early 1950’s George owned a gas station in Bloomfield.  After selling it, George found employment as a salesman for Mandi Foods.  There he remained just until his 90 th birthday.  He was a natural salesman, with a kind word, a story to tell and a smile for everyone.  He particularly enjoyed the Food Shows where he got to meet and greet customers and show off all sorts of delicious dishes made with his products.  He was compassionate, caring and thorough in meeting the needs of his customers.  Everyone who met George loved him.  He made many life-long friends with customers and co-workers.

Family life was important to George.  Every holiday, birthday and Steeler game was celebrated to the fullest with everyone accounted for and lots of good Italian food.  Family vacations always included a trip to the beach.  And on weekends, it was nothing to pack the family in the car and take a drive, sometimes ending up at Niagara Falls.

George and Anita loved to travel.  On one trip to Rome, they were able to shake hands with Pope Saint John Paul II.  The Pope asked them where they were from and Holy Father’s eyes lit up when they said, “Pittsburgh” and he responded, “Ah, Pits-a burg-o”.  George had a passion for music and cars.  At their home in Penn Hills, the sounds of Big Band Music and Frank Sinatra were often heard streaming out of their house.  Those same sounds kept him company in his later years.  George would surprise the family many times with a flashy new car that would draw the attention of all the neighbors.  George was also a model train aficionado.  He and Anita would make elaborate train village layouts around the Christmas tree. George was a man of strong but quiet faith and charity.  George and his family were members of Our Lady of Victory Church in Cheswick.  Later, moving to Natrona Heights, they joined St. Mary Mother of God Church in Freeport.