Joseph D. Boario, Jr., 87, of West Leechburg, died Saturday, March 1, in his home surrounded by his wife and children.

Born March 24, 1937, in New Kensington, he was the eldest son of the late Joseph D. Boario, Sr. and Mary (Trogolo) Boario.

After his graduation from Leechburg High School, Joe attended St. Francis University (formerly St. Francis of Loretto College) graduating in 1959. He began his teaching career in the Leechburg School District and received his master’s degree from Duquesne University in 1963. He later accepted a position with the Burrell School District where he taught social studies until his retirement in 1993.

After playing on various teams while in high school, as a teacher Joe was also an assistant basketball coach at Leechburg, and a member of the football staff at Burrell when the team won back-to-back Class A WPIAL championships in 1967 and 1968. However, he found his true sports calling when he began to officiate football.

Over his 16 years officiating, he grew to be a well-respected official who called nine WPIAL football title games at Three Rivers Stadium and one PIAA state championship game in Hershey. After his retirement from officiating he created a form for evaluating officials. In 2014, Joe was inducted into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2013, earning the “Special Award: Builder” for his outstanding contributions to scholastic sports.

Joe’s community service included being a member of the West Leechburg Volunteer Fire Company, the West Leechburg Zoning Board, the Lower Kiski Ambulance Board of Directors, and the Leechburg Area Pool Board.

Retirement afforded Joe opportunities to explore his other interests, especially fishing and fly tying. He loved teaching his grandsons the art and joy of fishing, supplying them with as many fishing flies as they wanted, as well as offering his surplus flies to other anglers wherever he fished.

A loyal fan, Joe enjoyed attending Penn State football games over many years. A special treat was being available to cheer on his grandsons at their sporting events throughout their elementary and high school years, watching them develop not only into athletes but also into fine young men.

Joe also looked forward to Sunday family dinners as well as special family get-togethers for holidays and birthdays. And as a proud Italian, Joe would whip up a few batches of various flavored pizzelles or his specialty, a savory, garlicky bagna cauda, to add to the menu.

Joe loved spending time with his grandsons, especially discussing sports and history with Andrew, teaching Ryan how to make that great bagna cauda for annual New Year’s Day get-togethers, and weighing the finer points of fly fishing with Connor. Sharing his time, skills, and life wisdom with “the boys” was truly a gift he both gave and received.

Battling cancer and various complications from its effects for over 13 years, Joe became a fighter, surviving far beyond what most people would have due to his indomitable spirit, strong will, and the loving care he received from his family, especially his most devoted caretaker, his wife Leona.

As he spent more time at home during his last few years, Joe remained a man of faith. He steadfastly devoted parts of his day to praying for family and friends, saying the rosary, and listening to selections from his two favorite Italian tenors, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti, along with a version of the hymn “How Great Thou Art” performed by the Vocal Majority. A Roman Catholic, Joe was a member of the former St. Catherine of Alexandria parish and the current Christ the King parish.

He is survived by his wife, Leona (Cechvala), whom he married June 30, 1962; son, Patrick (Kathleen) Boario; daughter, Lisa Boario; his three grandsons, Andrew (Nicole) McDermott, Ryan McDermott, and Connor McDermott; brother, Anthony (Liz) Boario; sister, Maria Boario; and sister-in-law, Denise Cechvala; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas (Mary Ellen) Boario; his father- and mother-in-law, Leo and Olga Cechvala; and his sisters-in-law and their husbands, Shirley (Eugene) Donati and Mary (Robert) Kepics.

There will be no public viewing. A private family memorial gathering will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lower Kiski Ambulance Service, 80 Kiski Avenue, Leechburg, PA 15656.