Joseph Brova of Bentleyville (Somerset Township), died quietly Thursday, February 16, 2012 surrounded with family at Sunrise Senior Care, Upper St. Clair, PA, where he was a resident with Alzheimer’s for seven months.
He was born March 18, 1927 in Cokeburg, a son of the late Frank and Caterina Suppo Brova. A veteran of World War II, he served with the 778th Tank Battalion, in Germany, and was honorably discharged on November 9, 1946. On June 31, 1951 he married Dorothy (Bertovich) Brova at St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church, Bentleyville.
In 1989, he retired from Bethlehem Mines Corporation, Mine 60, in Somerset Township, after 46 years of service as an outside miner, truck driver and lamp man. Upon retirement, he and family members made a two week trip to Italy, his parents’ homeland, and to the village of Frossasco to visit relatives. The visit included a visit to Torino, Rome, Venice, and the celebration of Mass at the Vatican.
Joseph was a member of Ave Maria Parish, United Mine Workers of America Local #1197, Third Degree member of the Bentleyville Knights of Columbus #5826, Sons of Italy Lodge #609 of Cokeburg, and bowled in different leagues with friends and his wife at Tann-O-Bell Lanes in Bentleyville. He was always active and enjoyed his years farming, raising beef cattle, gardening and producing fruit in his small orchard.
He served as Somerset Township Auditor and Road Supervisor for many years, and in his retirement, assisted in maintenance at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bentleyville.
Joseph enjoyed times spent with his children and seven grandchildren, neighbors and many dear friends. He also enjoyed country music and trips to Branson and Nashville.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a son Jospeh Michael Brova and wife Sheila, of Chester Springs, PA, two daughters, Marianne Foglia and husband Fran of McMurray, PA and Karen Bovalina and husband Dominick of Venetia, PA. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Michael Brova, twins, Christen and David Brova, Emily and Katie Foglia and Olivia and Anna Bovalina.
Surviving family include sister Rita Adamsky, of Eatontown, NJ and brothers Gabriel “Dino”, Victor, and Louis Brova, all of Scenery Hill. Deceased in addition to his parents are a brother Michael and brother Frank Brova.

Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 8 P.M. in the Greenlee Funeral Home, 619 Main Street, Bentleyville, PA where prayers will be said at 9:30 A.M., Saturday, February 18, 2012 followed at 10:00 A.M. by a Mass of Christian Burial in the Ave Maria R. C. Church, Bentleyville, PA with Rev. Ed Yuhas as celebrant. Interment will be in Beallsville Cemetery. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6:30 P.M. Friday in the funeral home. Memorials, if desired, may be made to Ave Maria Parish, 126 Church Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314 or Center in the Woods Adult Day Center, 130 Woodland Court, Brownsville, PA 15417, or Harmony Hospice, 811 Washington Ave., Carnegie, PA 15106.