Anthony Sellitti

Anthony Sellitti of Weirton, died Tuesday January 16, 2001 at his home. Anthony was born in Gallo Italy, the son of the late Domenic and Domenica Rocchio Sellitti. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Angela Rocchio. A prominent tri-state area builder and artist, Anthony owned and operated the Anthony Sellitti Construction Company for 45 years. An Italian emigre, he was born on January 6, 1921 and arrived in America at the age of 12 to join his parents who had settled in Weirton. He was a gifted draftsman and painter, and his considerable talent began to flourish in high school art classes. His award-winning paintings, including scenes from life in the steel valley, appeared in Life Magazine in 1941 and were exhibited in the New York World's Fair of 1939. He enlisted in the Navy and served his country in World War II aboard the U.S.S. Thurston. He traveled throughout Europe and participated in the invasion of Normandy. In the Pacific, he was present at the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and served until the war came to an end with the bombing of Japan. Self-taught in carpentry and bricklaying, Anthony started his own construction company after the war and embarked on a distinguished career in the Ohio Valley. He was widely recognized and sought after for his creative ability and masterful craftsmanship, high quality of building construction, and exceptional aesthetic and architectual skills. Among the many beautiful homes and businesses he built are the Steubenville Medical Center Professional Building; St. John the Fisher Catholic Church Parish Rectory in Richmond; and the former First National Bank of Weirton. During his retirement, Anthony rekindled his boyhood devotion to art by painting many extraordinary canvases, including landscapes and slice-of-life themes. His work has been exhibited at various area locations, including the Steel Works Credit Union, Bluegrass' Barber Shop, and the Steubenville Art Association. He volunteered to help build the Weirton Steel Veteran's Memorial Honor Roll, which he also designed, blueprinted, and surveyed. He received outstanding public service and citizen recognition awards including the Memorial Heritage Award from the Sons of Italy; the City of Weirton Mayor's Award; and the Senate of West Virginia 68th Legislature Recognition Award. Surviving are his wife, Louise(Gruber)Sellitti; children Domenic of Tamarac FL,Sondra,Donna, & Debra Sellitti and Valerie Bekoff of Boca Raton, FL; and stepchildren David Ozenbaugh of Philadelphia PA,Gary Ozenbaugh of Gettysburg, PA,Jeanne Lockmer of Wexford, PA,Barbara Doyle of Philadelphia, PA, and Jacqueline DeNonno of Leesburg, VA; 12 grandchildren. His memory will remain in our hearts and lives forever. Calling hours are from 7-9pm Wednesday, 2-4pm and 7-9pm Thursday, at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, where a wake service will be held at 7:00pm Thursday. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 19, at 10:00am at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church of Weirton. Entombment will follow at St. Paul's mausoleum. Memorial contributions can be made to Valley Hospice, 380 Summit Avenue, Steubenville, OH 43952. Guest register send condolence at www.grecohertnick.com Funeral Home: Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV US 26062