Joseph Francis Pellegrene

Joseph Francis Pellegrene, 94, of Homer City passed away, with his loving family by his side Tuesday, March 10, 2020 in Indiana, PA.

Joe was born December 20, 1925 in Homer City PA, and was the son of Ned and Theresa (Arone) Pellegrene.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Lucernemines PA.

Joe served in WWII as a Marine, in the 4th division infantry unit, “F” Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th regiment, and fought at Saipan and Tinian, before landing on Iwo Jima, February 19, 1945.

Mr. Pellegrene was the owner of Pellegrene Construction Company in Homer City. He was an expert block layer, and built many area buildings, some of which include; the Homer City Bank,  branches in Homer City and Indiana, the  Homer City, Armagh and Blacklick Post Offices, the Troutman building, Indiana and in 1953 the Grant Department Store, Blairsville PA.

He was also the owner of Pellegrene Sanitation Company and Landfill until 1995,  when he sold the company to Waste Management.

In 1996, Joe purchased and operated Sleepy Hollow Orchard, Indiana PA. The orchard offered fresh apples and peaches and won many blue ribbons at the Indiana County Fair. Through the course of many years, he was proud to donate many apples and peaches to several food banks. His kindness and generosity will be missed by those who knew him.

Joe is survived by two sons; Gene, (Kendy) Pellegrene of Blairsville, and Joseph Pellegrene, Homer City. And by daughter, Theresa Pellegrene Dunlap, Homer City.  He is also survived by two sisters Joanne (Tom) Boske, Homer City, Marie Gezich, Ann Arbor, MI, and grandchildren Kendy (Joe) Guarinoni,  Chris (Brooke) Gahagan,  Ed (Stephanie) Dunlap, Patrick Gahagan, Nick Pellegrene, Susan (Matt) Hall,  Gene Pellegrene, Lisa Pellegrene,  great-granddaughter Alexandria Hall, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by wife Frances (Broskin), daughter Helen Susan Purpura and three brothers Tom, John and Fred.

Friends will be received Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Homer City.  A Blessing Service will be held Saturday,  9:30 am at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Lucernemines,  interment to follow at the church cemetery, where graveside  military rites will be held.