Edward Constantine was a family man par excellence.
As the last Constantine of his generation, he was a father figure to many and the “ultimate role model,” said his son Michael.
“His whole life revolved around his wife, his kids, his grandkids and his great-grandkids,” Michael Constantine said. “He was always like a second father to numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.”
Edward A. Constantine, of Southwest Greensburg, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, at home. He was 90.
Born in Greensburg on May 25, 1929, he was a son of the late Angelo and Alvena (Segeleon) Constantine.
He started working while still in high school and then joined the Army. During the Korean War, he served in Germany and Austria with the 28th Infantry Division, Company C Battery Field Artillery, on a 105mm howitzer crew.
Upon his return, he went to work at General Tire & Rubber Co. in Jeannette. He worked there for 40 years and retired at age 62, his son said.
“He was the bulk room computer operator. He set the blends for making the plastics,” he said.
Mr. Constantine and his wife, Rita Jean, raised three children. As his family grew, they came to rely on him more and more.
“Anytime anybody ever called needing help … he was the first one there. I can’t tell you the number of people he touched,” Michael Constantine said. “He was a soft-spoken, hardworking, dedicated family man with a large extended family that all came to him when they needed him.”
Mr. Constantine’s legacy was his family. He encouraged his grandchildren to continue their education and participate in sports and influenced three grandsons in their decisions to join the military.
“He enjoyed every opportunity to attend family gatherings, award ceremonies and sporting events. If there was something going on, he was there. He never missed anything,” Michael Constantine said.
In retirement, Mr. Constantine enjoyed golf and playing dominoes with his family on Sunday.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rita Jean (Mikosky) Constantine; three children, Edward R. Constantine and his wife, Diane, Michael A. Constantine and his wife, Judi, and Diana Daigle and her husband, Jude; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Leo M. Bacha Funeral Home, 516 Stanton St., Greensburg. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 1011 Mt. Pleasant Road, Greensburg. Entombment will follow at Twin Valley Memorial Park, Delmont, with full military honors accorded by VFW Post 33, Greensburg Honor Guard.
