Joseph B. Cipriani

Joseph B. Cipriani passed away Monday, October 4, 2021, at his home. He was born November 15, 1931, in Follansbee, WV, to the late Mariano P. and Angela (Monaco) Cipriani. In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Margaret (Nemeth) Cipriani, brothers Romeo Cipriani and Mariano P. Cipriani, Jr., and sister Margaret (Joe) Desario. Surviving is his son, Joseph D. Cipriani, and his wife Alma of Jacksonville, FL; three sisters, Theresa (Ben) Morelli of Columbus, OH, Carol (Robert) Valenti of Weirton, and Linda (Howard) Pfabe of Wellsburg, WV; sister-in-law Marlene (Nemeth) Taylor and numerous nieces and nephews. Joe attended Mahan and St. Anthony’s Grade and Middle Schools in Follansbee and graduated from Catholic Central High School in Steubenville, OH, in 1949. He was employed shortly thereafter at Kusic and Haines Manufacturing Company in Weirton. In March 1951, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Sigourney. DD643, which included nine months in Korea and Southeast Asia. He earned service medals for the Korean War, United Nations Service Southeast Asia occupation, and the Navy Good Conduct. He was Honorably Discharged in 1955 as a Second Class Petty Officer. In 1959, he began a 38-year career with the Weirton Steel Corp. and retired from the Industrial Relations Department as a Labor Contract Administrator. Joe was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates 1st District in 1983. He served as a member of the Judiciary, Education, Political Subdivision, and Government Organization committees. He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Weirton, Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity in Follansbee, Weirton Steel Management and 25-Year Clubs, the former Pleasant Valley Country Club, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Weirton Post 2716, Weirton Elks Club 1801, Knights of Columbus Weirton Council 3734. Joe sang top tenor with the Weirton Steel Chorus for 28 years, served on the advisory board of the Weirton Salvation Army, the Allocation Committee of the Weirton United Way for several years, and the Board of Directors and advisor with the Weirton Junior Achievement. He was a credit union volunteer with First Choice America (formerly Steel Works) since 1975. He was elected to the Board of Directors on both the credit union and service organization and served as chairman and director of both boards. Friends will be received Thursday from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street, Weirton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Friday at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church with the Very Rev. Dennis R. Schuelkens, Jr., VE officiating. Interment will follow in Saint Paul’s Cemetery with military graveside honors conducted by the American Legion Post 10 and the United States Navy. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Joseph the Worker Building Fund, 229 California Avenue, Weirton, WV 26062. Share tributes and memories at www.grecohertnick.com 304-748-3219