Vincent Anthony Crisanti

Vincent Anthony Crisanti, 93, of Shadyside, passed away on Wednesday September 18, 2024, after a long and full life.

Vincent, affectionately known as Jim or Jimmy, was born in Pittsburgh on June 21, 1931, to Giovanni and Provvidenza Crisanti, immigrants from Sicily.  He graduated from Peabody High School (Class of 1949), University of Pennsylvania (Class of 1953 and proud member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity), and University of Pittsburgh Law School (Class of 1956).  He was a United States Army Veteran who served in the Korean War and worked with classified documents while stationed in Germany.  His efforts led to the investigation of practices of security agents in Rome and he was awarded the General’s Commendation for his accomplishments.

In his legal career he was a sole practitioner specializing in estate and real estate law from 1960-2018.  Activities of which he was most proud include negotiating the first television contract for Forest Hills Borough, being an active member of the Republican Committee for Forest Hills, serving as Chairman of Fundraising for the Forest Hills Fourth of July Committee, and acting as the Forest Hills Little League Baseball Commissioner. 

To say he was a sports fanatic would be an understatement. In addition to coaching little league baseball, he was a fixture at his children’s sporting events, often seen cheering from the stands in his suit and tie, having come directly from work.  Even after his children aged out of organized sports, he could still be found watching football or basketball or volleyball games at the local high school or taking in a field hockey game on ESPN to learn the rules for his granddaughters’ matches.  He was a longtime season ticket holder for Pitt Basketball and his beloved Steelers, and fittingly was in attendance at a Pirate’s game at PNC Park this summer when his 93rd birthday was recognized on the Jumbo-Tron.

He instilled in his children the value of family, education, hard work, and free parking.  He readily shared his wisdom and talents with an extended circle of relatives and friends whether consulting on legal issues, sharing beloved family recipes and dishes - most notably his highly acclaimed Eggplant Provvidenza - or hand-delivering his home-grown tomatoes and figs every harvest. 

His wife Rose Crisanti (Catanese) of 62 years survives him as well as his children Jim (Csilla) Crisanti, David Crisanti, Lynn Crisanti (Michael Donovan), and Caren Crisanti Grau.  His grandchildren are Samuel Grau, Giovanna Grau, Brooklyn Grau, Carola Crisanti, Contessa Crisanti, and Ruby Donovan.  Predeceasing him in death are his parents, his brother Paul Joseph Crisanti, and his sister Josephine Morgan.

His memory will live on daily in the life-long lessons he imparted.

Friends will be received at John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Monday 2-4 and 6-8p.m. Funeral Tuesday, Mass of Christian Burial, St. Paul Cathedral 10a.m. Entombment to follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pittsburgh Symphony.

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