Stephen Patrick Moschetta, 56, of Washington, Pennsylvania, died Friday, March 22, 2024, at West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, surrounded by his large devoted family and in the arms of his loving son, Stephen Patrick Moschetta, II. Steve fought a courageous battle against a rare and aggressive cancer. Throughout his recent short illness, two loyal advocates and warriors never left his side: his sister, Nicole Moschetta Crofford, and his partner/soulmate, Megan Luisi. Steve joins the souls of all loved ones who predeceased him. He leaves a legacy of love, faith, hope, devotion, courage, character, and grace for all who knew him, but especially for his children. Steve was Roman Catholic, and a member of St. James Parish of Washington, PA.

The beloved son of Joseph P. and Judith K. Moschetta of Washington, who survive, Steve was born July 9, 1967. Family was the center of Steve’s life. He is the proud and beloved father of four children, Stephen Patrick Moschetta, II (19); Gianni Joseph Moschetta (17); and twins, Rocco William Moschetta (15) and Isabella Rene’e Moschetta (15). Steve is also survived by the love of his life, Megan Luisi; a brother, Christopher J. Moschetta of Washington; a sister, Nicole Moschetta Crofford (Matthew) of Pittsburgh and nieces (Mia and Eva); numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, who created a circle of love and care around Steve during his illness; and, Dr. Gregory Jones (Cleveland Clinic), cousin, godchild, and devoted medical advocate. Steve had unmeasured support, and was the favorite of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Steve graduated from Washington High School in 1986; Washington & Jeferson College in 1990; and from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, East Lansing, MI, cum laude, as a member of Law Review, in 1998. While a student at W & J, Steve held two summer internships in Washington, D.C. First, with Republican U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, and the following year, with then-Democratic U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden of Delaware. After receiving his Juris Doctor, Mr. Moschetta was admitted to the practice of law in all courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; the U.S. Courts of Appeals, Third and Fourth Circuits; the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of West Virginia; the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia; and, the United States Supreme Court.

Steve followed in his father and grandfather, John J. Moschetta’s footsteps by joining his father’s law practice in 1998. Eventually, Steve became the lead partner in The Moschetta Law Firm, PC, in Washington, PA. Steve specialized in Maritime, Longshoremen’s Act, and Defense Base Act Claim litigation. He represented hundreds of workers injured on the waters throughout the United States and abroad. Steve lectured extensively throughout the country at legal seminars and conferences, and in 2019, he authored a legal treatise titled, A Guide to Your Defense Base Act Claim.

Steve gave generously of his time as an office holder and leading member of numerous professional and legal organizations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and around the country, from which he received many awards of distinction. Naming a few, Steve enjoyed career long memberships in the Western PA Trial Lawyers Association serving in all offices including President; The Washington County Bar Association; The Pennsylvania and West Virginia Bar Associations; The Maritime Law Association of the U.S., the ACLU, and others. From 2009 to the present, Steve was a member of the Department of Labor (DOL) Joint Bar Association, a national bar association of both claimant and defense attorneys and served one term as President. He proudly served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Landmark College in Vermont from 2007, which was of particular importance to Steve. Landmark College was designed exclusively for students who learn differently due to learning disabilities, and other challenges. Steve spent a semester at Landmark College himself, and it changed the trajectory of his life.

Steve was an avid fisherman and hunter, developing a love of nature at a young age through annual camping trips across the country with his Uncle John Moschetta and cousins. Steve continued to cultivate his outdoorsmen skills with a group of lifelong friends who traversed the United States, exploring the spectacular wildlife that this country has to offer. Steve loved America, and especially enjoyed his trips to Montana, which included fishing the Bitterroot River. He also was a quick and talented athlete himself, and was a kicker on the football team at Washington High School. He loved his years of coaching Washington Youth Soccer and the Trinity Hillers Boys Lacrosse, where he was a Board Member. He took great pride in watching his own children excel on the lacrosse, soccer field and the wrestling mat. Steve loved music and taught himself to play the guitar by ear. He passed on those self-taught guitar skills and love of music to his children. His living room was a family music room, complete with amps, drums, and electric guitars.

Steve’s passing will be deeply mourned, but his memory will endure, and his legacy will be carried on by his beloved children. Stephen Patrick Moschetta lived a full life: son, partner, brother, coach, advocate, friend, author, lecturer, outdoorsman, traveler, and counselor. All of these roles were meaningful to Steve, but his greatest accomplishment, and the most important role of his life, is one three-letter word: “DAD.”

Friends will be received on Monday, March 25, 2024 from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. and on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 P.M. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at E. Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Owner/Supervisor, S. Timothy Warco, II, Director, Holly Renay Warco, Director, Park N. Crosier, Director. A prayer service will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Trinity Hillers Boys Youth Lacrosse, 14 Beagle Club Road, Washington, PA 15301, or Landmark College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 19 River Road South, Putney, VT 05346. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.

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