James Theodore "Joe" Pool

James Theodore "Joe" Pool, 95, of Pittsburgh, died peacefully surrounded by his wife of 72 years, Molly Wood Pool, and his family, Dec. 19, 2025. Born June 18, 1930, Joe was raised in Ben Avon, PA and lived in the area for almost 90 years. He and Molly lived on Norwood Avenue in Kilbuck Township for 60 years, where they raised their three children, before moving to the Cranberry Township area. Joe was a 1948 graduate of Avonworth High School and a proud 1952 graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. While at Allegheny, he majored in business and formed his most cherished friendships and memories. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Joe was an award-winning shortstop for the Gators baseball squad where he was a multi-year letter winner and developed into a New York Yankees prospect. At graduation he chose a more secure life path (for those times) and accepted employment with the Dravo-Doyle Company over baseball, where he worked his entire career, retiring in 1992. Joe was a member at the Woodland United Presbyterian church where he served as a Deacon, Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon and Sewickley Presbyterian Church. Always committed to serving others and his community, Joe is remembered by many as a dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring youth baseball coach in the Avonworth community. He served on the ACORD Park recreation board in its early years and was a commissioner for Kilbuck Township. Upon retirement, Joe also served as a bus stop monitor in Ben Avon Heights, PA where he found great joy in getting to know the families and children of the neighborhood on school mornings and afternoons. A renowned "people person" Joe could be found dropping in on local business owners, neighbors and friends at any time of day or night to talk, catch up, share stories, talk sports. He and Molly cherished their country cottage at Conneaut Lake where they enjoyed a calmer small-town life for over 30 years. These calm days were interspersed with visits from their 10 grandchildren whom they loved to pull behind their boat on various floatation devices and water skis followed by cookouts, bean bag competitions, wiffle ball games and general mayhem. Joe was an unabashed supporter of his grandchildren and proudly followed and attended their academic, athletic, musical, theatrical and social pursuits. Baseball was his passion, and a radio or television tuned into the Pittsburgh Pirates was never too far away – particularly in his later years. He rabidly followed Avonworth High School sports, particularly this past year as he was thrilled with the football team's state championship. Ever putting others first, even in his last days visits always ended with him asking his children and grandchildren if they needed anything from him. The answer was… nothing, he'd already provided the foundation necessary through example. Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Marion Benner Pool and father, James Elmer Pool. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Molly Wood Pool, three children: James Mowry Pool of Sewickley, PA , John David Pool (Karen) of Mars, PA, Kathy Ann Pool of Tecumseh, Michigan; ten grandchildren: Ryan Pool (Niki), Rachel Roll (Will), Nathan Pool, Alyssa Tournay (Lucas), Julianne Blank (Dylan), Kevin Pool (Abigail), Lindsey Thomas (Nate Gildow), Jacob Melisko, Katie Melisko, Luke Melisko; two great grandchildren: Easton Cannon and Emersyn Tournay. Visitation will be held Sunday Dec. 28, 2025 at the McDonald-Linn Funeral home in Avalon, PA, 2-5 p.m. Memorial service at McDonald-Linn at 11 a.m, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, with burial service at Allegheny Memorial Park in Allison Park, PA to follow immediately after.