Joseph A. Iacovetta

Joseph A. Iacovetta

Joseph A. Iacovetta, 76, of Erie, died Sunday May 10, 2009 at Presque Isle Nursing Home. He died after an eight year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease

Joe was born May 12, 1933 in Erie, PA, a son of the late Frank and Pasqualina Melaragno Iacovetta. He served in the United States Army. Joe graduated from Strong Vincent High School, and then graduated from Edinboro University with a Bachelor's Degree in Art education. He graduated from Kent University with a Master's Degree in Art. Joe was inducted into the Edinboro Sport Tennis Hall of Fame.

Joe moved to Woodland Hills, California and taught art education at Chadsworth High School until his retirement. He coached tennis for many years at Chadsworth High School.

Joe taught tennis to the children of many Hollywood legends and became a part of the Hollywood Jet Set. He dated Dinah Shore and with her help put on numerous charitable tennis tournaments in Palm Springs.

Joe spent many summers in Rome, Italy, where he put on one man art exhibits and sold many of his abstract art paintings there.

Joe is survived by his beloved brother and sister, Al Iacovetta and wife Dorothy and Annette Rocco and husband Gene of Erie. He is also survived by his nieces; Carolyn Vendetti and husband Richard of Erie, Barbara Ferrare and husband Jamie of Washington DC, Suzanne Campany and husband Andrew of Valencia, CA and Linda Privitelli and husband Phillip of San Francisco, CA; a nephew, Frankie Iacovetta and wife Cindy of Erie and many dear friends.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Wednesday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm and may attend a service there on Thursday at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, 1617 Walnut Street at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A Christian Wake service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 3:00 pm. Memorials may be made to Saint Paul Church, 1617 Walnut St., Erie, PA 16502.