ZETTELMAYER

JOSEF

Josef Zettelmayer, 87, of Ross Township, Allegheny County, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026, surrounded by his family, after a battle with metastatic cancer and kidney disease.

Josef emigrated to the United States from German St. Peter, a small village in then-Communist Romania. He spent his early childhood years in Braunschweig, Germany, during World War II. Near the end of the war, he, his mother and sister were separated from his father, and trapped in Romania during the Soviet occupation. After more than 10 years awaiting visas, the family was reunited in Pittsburgh in 1959 when Joseph was 20.

During his U.S. naturalization process, Josef served his new country in the United States Army at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He worked as a carpenter for a time, before becoming a draftsman for Green Engineering. The company helped him to begin a civil engineering degree at the University of Pittsburgh, which he later completed at Point Park University. After working with Green and Mazza Engineering, Josef completed his career and retired as president of Monaloh Basin Engineers in Robinson Township in 2006.

During his retirement, Josef enjoyed traveling the world. With his wife, son and daughter-in-law, he visited Italy, Greece, Israel, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Brazil, and Argentina. He exercised regularly, particularly enjoying his five-mile daily walk at North Park when the weather cooperated. Josef was a long-time Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and enjoyed watching FIFA soccer, a sport he played regularly as a boy in Europe. He was a lifetime member of the historic Teutonia Männerchor on Pittsburgh's North Side. Josef enjoyed spending time with and spoiling his two granddaughters, regularly attending their band and orchestra performances, portraying Prince Charming in their "princess plays," and vacationing with them in Ocean City, MD and at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Josef is survived by Rosella Zettelmayer (Gross) his wife of 57 years, and his children Erik J. Zettelmayer (Lisa Arbuckle) of Plum Borough, Allegheny County and Rita M. McConnell (Bryan) of Fombell, Beaver County, and two granddaughters, Sara and Ava McConnell. He is the son of the late Jakob and Anna Zettelmayer of Ross Township and brother of the late Katerina Schumacher of Purcellville, VA. He is also survived by his nieces, Dr. Linda Feero (Dr. W. Gregg) and Diane Cates (Ben) and their children.

Visitation for friends and family will be Thursday, April 9, at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME on Route 19 in Ross Township from 2 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, April 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, St. Teresa Church, in Ross Township. Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Music Ministry, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Food Pantry, or the Society of St. Vincent DePaul - Council of Pittsburgh.