Joseph R. Horzempa

All who knew Joseph R. Horzempa would agree that he was a hardworking and honorable man who was well known and respected in the community he called home for much of his life. Second only to his unwavering faith was Joe’s unending love for his family, and there was nothing that made his heart swell with pride and joy more than witnessing his family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones. As his family and friends can attest, he lived life on his own terms – but he had so much fun doing it. Life will never be the same without Joe here, but he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will hold forever near and dear to their hearts.As the sun began to set on the 1940s, America was making the shift to being a nation at peace as WWII had ended in 1945. Manufacturing was no longer focused on supporting the war effort, and rationing had become a thing of the past. It was also during this transitional time that Joseph and Rosemarie (Buczinski) Horzempa were pleased to announce the birth of the baby boy they named Joseph R. on February 27, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of five children, and he loved music from an early age. Joe later went on to become the lead singer in a rock ’n roll band. He attended local schools and was a graduate of West Allegheny High School.A man of honor and integrity, Joe served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. In recognition of his service he was awarded with the National Defense Service Medal, two Overseas Service Bars, Marksman (Rifle M-14), Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device.New and exciting changes were in store for Joe when he met the young girl of his dreams. Her name was Mary, and they met while he was visiting his sister, Nancy, as the two girls were college roommates. They met in May of 1975 and were married on May 1, 1976. Together they welcomed two sons, Joseph and Matthew, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Katherine, into their hearts and home. Joe was a family man through and through as his family was always his primary focus. It was easy to see that he adored his wife, and he always said that he lived with the most amazing cook.Joe was always known for his exemplary work ethic. After leaving the service he worked as a traveling photographer, taking pictures at weddings. Joe then spent several years working at Dravo with his father. From there he made his way to J&L Steel, although he lost his job when the mill shut down. Determined to provide for his family, Joe went back to school to become a certified orthotist/prosthetist, commuting back and forth between Pittsburgh and Chicago. His nights were spent studying so he still had time for his family. With his education behind him, Joe found a job at Union Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rochester. He loved this job as he was able to help people and work with his hands. He was eventually dubbed the name of “leg man” by the Beaver County Times, since he had such a positive impact on everyone he helped.Outside of work, Joe loved keeping busy. He was a longtime member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Monaca where he also served as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing the Eucharist to the hospital every Sunday as he was there to deliver the body of Christ to those in need no matter the weather. This often meant waking up early to go to church ahead of time, but Joe loved this service to others. He was also a member of Beaver Valley Artists and Senior Center Art Club due to his talent for painting in oils and acrylics, especially after retirement. He entered some of his work in art shows, and he even won numerous awards. Joe enjoyed trout fishing at Brady’s Run and Raccoon Creek State parks, sitting in his special spot, and showing people his garden and grapes. Most of all, he loved having a good time with his family, which usually involved music in some way. To celebrate his love for chickens, Joe wrote a song titled “Bucky,” which is about his grandchildren, Jack and Gwen, who wanted a chicken as a pet. Joe liked family vacations at the beach. He loved watching the Pittsburgh Pirates, until they lost. He then claimed he would never watch them again. Joe liked making “muchunka” with the boys, loved getting socks for Christmas since he never could have enough, and there was also nothing like the perfect comb. He always had coffee in hand and was rarely seen without his crocs on, and he was known for cleaning his throat – a lot! Joe’s family always knew that they were to be “in and out” of wherever they were since Joe didn’t like to linger, and he was always sure to remind his family to take their jackets no matter the weather.With unending love for his family, Joseph R. Horzempa was the rock of his family. He was always a blessing to others. Joe cherished the time he had to spend with his children and grandchildren, and he was never more proud than he was when talking about his family. He was his own man who liked what he liked, and everyone always knew that “that will be it.” Spirited, fun-loving, and passionate, no one met Joe and left unchanged. Deeply loved, he will be forever missed.Joseph R. Horzempa, of Monaca, went to be with the Lord on Monday afternoon, September 12, 2016. Joe’s family includes his wife, Mary F. Simoni Horzempa; two sons, Joseph A. (Crystal) Horzempa, of Pittsburgh, and Matthew D. (Jessica) Horzempa, of Canonsburg; two daughters, Elizabeth M. (Michael) Figura, of Shaler, and Mary Katherine Horzempa of Monaca; six grandchildren, Gwen and Jack, Hannah and Andrew, and Isaac and Henry; two sisters and two brothers, Nancy (Gerald) Lane, Kathy Leahy, Robert Horzempa and Michael (Candy) Horzempa; two sisters-in-law, Bernadette (Robert) Olack and Rosanne Russo; two brothers-in-law, Joseph C. Simoni and Michael (Deborah) Simoni, along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents ,Joe was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Elizabeth, and father-in-law, Joseph Simoni. Friends will be received Thursday, September 15th, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where parting prayers will be offered Friday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Parish, Monaca. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the Beaver County Special Unit at 11 a.m. at the cemetery. 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