Anthony "Tony the Barber" Lucchitti

Tony passed away peacefully on Friday, August 2, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Aged 88 years, Tony was the third of five children of the late Falco and Filomena (Carozza), immigrants from Palena, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. He was their first child born in the United States, and like so many first-generation kids, grew up speaking Italian at home, and English at school.

Tony was preceded in death by sisters Carmela (late Nick) Luisi and Jennie (late Sam) Cortis. Surviving siblings are his sister, Ida (late Conrad) Kern, and brother, Louis (late Dawn). Tony is also survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Maureen (Wetter); five children: Lisa (Chuck) Merchant, Christine Sumner, Daniel (Audrey), Mary Louise (David) Vituccio, and Annette (Larry) Lorenzi; 11 grandchildren: Joseph and Christopher Merchant, Katherine and Joshua Sumner, Hannah (Kevin) Tunney, Jonathan and Anthony E. Lucchitti, Vincent and Olivia Vituccio, and Anna Marie and Lidia Lorenzi; as well as many nieces, nephews, and good friends.

Tony graduated from Canonsburg High in 1955, by which time he had become an accomplished woodwind player. A member of the Pittsburgh Musicians’ Union, Local 60-471, his talents were sought by many local dance bands, and he spent countless evenings entertaining music lovers throughout the region. When he was not playing saxophone, Tony was cutting hair in the barber shop that he opened on Willow Avenue, Castle Shannon, in 1959. A hub for social, political, and cultural exchange, filled with good words and bad jokes, it remained in business until he retired in 2020.  After Tony’s service in the US Army, Tony and Maureen settled in Castle Shannon and began raising their growing family, which would require a bigger house in Bethel Park, where Tony lived the rest of his life.

Next to music, Tony loved golf, and was an avid, year-round player for decades. He always kept a garden full of tomatoes and garlic, and grew his own lemon trees. As a cook, Tony had a handful of old-world recipes that became faithful family traditions. More than anything, however, Tony loved having his family around, and relished holidays with his children and grandchildren. He was happiest leading a makeshift band of grandkids playing Christmas carols on their school instruments.

Friends and customers will remember Tony as an honest and loyal man, as generous as he was genuine. He always went out of his way to do a favor or fill a need, never calling attention to himself. Perhaps his greatest expertise was people—he knew human nature, and valued character above all. Tony gave everybody a chance. Those who knew Tony were glad to know him, and that was a great many people. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul of the Cross Parish, St. Anne Church, on Wednesday, August 7th, at 10:00 am, followed by interment with military honors at The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Rd., Bridgeville, PA 15017. There will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Band South, a non-profit organization promoting music programs for all ages, and sent to Community Band South c/o Max Gonano, 168 Dodd Drive, Washinton, PA 15301.