Andrew Joseph "Joe" Smydo

Andrew Joseph “Joe” Smydo, 81, passed away on May 22, 2021. Born on Aug. 19, 1939, in Slovan, he was the son of the late Andrew and Louise (Luckjohn) Smydo.

He grew up in Burgettstown and graduated from Union High School in 1957. From 1958 until 1962, he served in the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in Alaska on the USCGC Sweetbrier and later in Cape May, N.J. He then attended West Virginia University (WVU), graduating in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

On Sept. 14, 1968, in Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Burgettstown, he married Kristy Craig, who he met while working at McGraw-Edison in Canonsburg. They were blessed with seven children and 52 years of marriage.

Joe was a devout Catholic and follower of the traditional Latin Mass.  He loved dancing with Kristy and enjoyed cooking. He built the family home in Scenery Hill, served as a youth baseball coach for his sons’ teams as they were growing up and was a long-time sponsor of many children through the Christian Children’s Fund.

For the majority of his career, Joe worked at Climax Molybdenum Company/Langeloth Metallurgical in Langeloth, starting as an electrical engineer and retiring in 2013.

In addition to his wife, Kristy of Scenery Hill, he is survived by seven children, Joseph (Judy) of Mt. Lebanon; Matthew (Marissa) of Columbus, Ohio; Jason of Scenery Hill; David (Jocelin) of South Franklin Township; Rachel Smydo (Chad McWreath) of Pittsburgh;  Joshua of Scenery Hill; and Sarah Cale (Nathan) of Chartiers Township. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Nicholas, Alyssa, Taylor, Anna, Andrew and Declan Smydo and Kate Cale; and two sisters, Martha Stiffler and Mary Lou Dowler, both of Burgettstown.

Private Mass of Christian Burial with interment at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery, Avella, PA, have been entrusted to Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, LFD owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg 724-745-8120

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Washington City Mission,  84 W Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301.

To view or extend condolences please visit www.salandrafunerals.com