Siamo Una Famiglia
The Passing of Joseph D’Andrea
By Maria D’Andrea-Yothers
Credit: Courtesy of the D’Andrea family.
The Society mourns the passing of Joseph D’Andrea, brother of founding member, Lucio D’Andrea, and a strong advocate for the creation of the Abruzzo Molise Heritage Society in the Washington, DC, area. Joseph passed away on December 22, 2023, at 94 years of age. His brother Lucio, Lucio’s daughter, Maria, and son-in-law, Sam, were grateful that they were able to visit Joe at the Marion Manor Care Nursing Home on December 17.
Joseph, along with Lucio and their mother, Candida, left Roccamandolfi, in the province of Isernia, when he was 18 years old. Joseph’s father, Gaetano, was in the United States, having arrived several years earlier to make a life and home for his family, which settled in McKees Rocks, Pa. Joseph was an avid scholar, teacher, President of the Pennsylvania State Teachers’ Association, and, later in life, Honorary Vice Counsel to Italy for Western Pennsylvania. He returned to Roccamandolfi where he was recognized for his thorough and robust research into the Monangah, West Virginia, Mining Disaster, which occurred on December 6, 1907. This event is the worst mining disaster in American history, as it claimed the lives of 362 miners, the majority of whom were immigrants — 87 of whom were from the region of Molise. In 2007, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the explosion, the region of Molise presented a bell to the town of Monongah. Italians arrive to honor immigrants killed in 1907 Monongah mine blast | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Joseph was the beloved husband of the late Gloria Bianchi. He is survived by his daughter, Anne, and his brother, Lucio, Lucio’s wife Edvige, and numerous nieces and nephews. Obituary for Joseph F. D’Andrea | Copeland Funeral Homes.
Good Start to the Holiday Season
Credit: Maria D’Andrea-Yothers
Milestone Birthday for Founding Member
Credit: Sam Yothers
March 2024
