Joseph Anthony Pietrocarlo, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 3:26 PM in Kingwood, Texas. Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, on December 20, 1927, to Samuel Pietrocarlo and Veronica Pietrocarlo, Joe was one of four children. His life was defined by his faith in God, his devotion to family, and his unwavering commitment to hard work. He was known for his knack for fixing things and building things. There was nothing that he could not do with a few tools and his desire for perfection.

Growing up in Pennsylvania during The Great Depression, he had fond memories of working with his grandfather growing apples. With hard work and the desire to succeed, he eventually received a scholarship from Drexel Institute of Technology where he played football and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Joe met Marie Agnes Macaluso when in school and they were married on September 9, 1951, in Philadelphia, PA.

Eventually, Joe and Marie landed in New Orleans, Louisiana and he began a 28-year career with Shell Oil. Joe worked at the Norco Refinery and enjoyed catching crabs down from the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish. Because many struggled to pronounce his last name, he became affectionately known as Joe Pete! He loved to fish and hunt and would tie his own fishing flies and reload his own shotgun shells. The family attended St. Rita's Parish in Harahan and Joe worked tirelessly to earn an MBA from LSUNO.

Shell Oil later brought the family to Houston, Texas in 1975. Although his assignment with Shell Oil was at the Deer Park Refinery, Joe decided to build a home in Kingwood, Texas where he and his wife lived for 48 years. When Joe and Marie purchased additional property in Kerrville, Texas, Joe designed the home and built a stone path from the back porch all the way down to the creek.

A man of deep faith, Joe and his family attended St. Mary's Catholic Church in Humble, TX in the 70's. Eventually, St. Martha's Catholic Church in Kingwood came to life. Joe became a Eucharistic Minister and served for many years. When Joe was not able to attend Mass in person, the wonderful ministry was faithful in bringing the Eucharist to him. And one of his great joys was praying The Rosary with anyone who would join him.

For the better part of 30 years, Joe fought a courageous battle with a loss of sight. It was partial at first. Eventually, he was in complete darkness. He faced each new challenge with the same determination that he had brought to every part of his life. He approached each day with courage, tenacity and faith.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Veronica Pietrocarlo and his beloved wife of 73 years (minus 4 days) Marie Pietrocarlo. He is survived by his beloved children Robyn Marie Laumbach and Lauren Marie Pietrocarlo; Grandchildren William Joseph Alexander and wife Christina Ly, Lauren Marie Brank and wife Vera Elizabeth Brank, Dallas Deane Laumbach II and wife Megan Ashlee-Louise Laumbach, Ashley Rainsford and husband Wayne Rainsford; Great Grandchildren Leila Marie Harris, Aria Ann Laumbach Emerson David Pierce Laumbach and Willow Soang Alexander; his sister-in-law Lucy Carto and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Joe's life was a mosaic of faith, family, hard work, and love; a story that continues in the hearts of all who knew him.

A Rosary Service will begin at 9:30 AM on Friday, June 20, 2025 at St. Martha's Catholic Church Holy Family Chapel, 4301 Woodridge Pkwy, Porter, TX 77365.

Mass Services are scheduled for 10:30 AM that same day and location with Reverend Zachary Muldrow officiating.

Burial Service is not yet scheduled.

Into your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brother Joseph. In this life, you embraced him with your tender love; deliver him now from every evil and bid him eternal rest. The older order has passed away; welcome him into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.