Guido LePore, born December 2, 1932, completed his pilgrimage on Earth the same as it began – entering and leaving during an unsettling time – yet living a remarkable life of quiet, understated sacrifice in between as a dedicated father, grandfather, and above all, devoted husband, all as a man of steadfast faith with a simple mission to provide his family a chance at a better life rooted by a love for God. Guido exemplified the virtues of loyalty and hard work throughout his life.
For Guido, everything had a proper place — from the simple things to those that matter most. Daily items like espresso cups and photographs had a specific cabinet, an appropriate shelf. Above all, the proper place of family was at the front and center of his life, especially working and praying for his family to ensure that his sons and their children had opportunities that he did not. The truly special thing about Guido is that he would never look at this quality as extraordinary or remarkable; it was simply his duty because it was his proper place.
Born during the depression era in Pacentro, Italy, Guido and his wife of 59 years, Giuseppina — Josephine or “Jo” for short — emigrated to the United States. Guido chose the more difficult path to making the road “easier” for his family. As a teenager, he and his father departed Italy after World War II to find work in Venezuela, supporting family at home while saving enough for the journey to America one day. In 1954, he arrived in America for the first time to plan the next chapter: ,reuniting with wife, Josephine, in Pittsburgh serving, in the United States Army on his path to becoming a U.S. citizen, and raising two sons, Alexander and Guido. Working tirelessly to secure his family’s future, he earned a coveted job in the J&L steel mill, allowing his boys to attend 16 years of Catholic education at St. Rosalia’s, Central Catholic High School and Duquesne University reflecting the deep commitment to the faith that he and Josephine carried throughout their lives.
Second only to his faith was his fondness for his hometown of Pacentro. He beamed with pride whenever he told stories about his upbringing and all the village families – and he vividly recalled each detail of the town as if he never left.
And over his 88 years he repeated many timeless, priceless stories, each retelling inevitably including a tidbit never previously mentioned! Stories and memories were shared over many glasses of homemade wine or cups of espresso with Sambuca – in a cappuccino cup of course, because “witha bigga cup, you no have to come a back to filla the little a cup.” Though he had a dry wit his “unintentional” humor lives our memory each day.
Above all is centerpiece of his life – Jo. As she courageously battled several illnesses and passed away in 2015, Guido remained by her side every step of the way. For the past five years, he continued to visit her daily at Calvary Cemetery, and now he will rejoin her in paradise.
In addition to his sons Alexander (Barbara) and Guido (Jennifer), Guido is survived by his four grandchildren (Alexander, Gabriella, Nicoletta, and Giacomo) and his four siblings, Gina (Ralph), Nina (the late Fernando), Carolina (the late Mario), and Chris (Rose).
In gratitude, the family would like to show their appreciation by directing any donations in Guido’s memory to Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Augustine where Guido and Josephine quietly offered countless intentions for many people who touched the family’s lives. Friends will be received Sunday from 2-6 p.m. in the Edward P. Kanai Funeral Home, 500 Greenfield Ave. 15207. Funeral Monday at 9:30 a.m. in the Funeral Home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Paul Cathedral parish, St. Rosalia worship site.
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