Donald J Broge

Donald James Broge was born April 9, 1933 in Etna Pennsylvania to parents Carl Frederick Broge and Margaret Thalman Broge. He had two older brothers, David Richard and Carl “Skip” Frederick Jr. Don and his family were members of the Bible Students of America (later renamed Jehovah’s Witnesses). Don attended Shaler high school in 1949, and West Deer high school in 1950. He left high school after the 10th grade to begin working.

Don married Laura Jane Anderson on April 22, 1952 and they had three children, Donald James Jr., Lon Thomas and Laura Lee. Don honed his skills in a variety of jobs, including working in the steel mills in Blawnox, working for Union Steel Castings, as well as various construction jobs. During the early 1950s recession, Don drove a school bus. In the mid-1950s, Don moved to Detroit to work as a laborer for his brother Skip, a bricklayer. Don then attended the Union Bricklaying School. In 1956, Don returned to Pittsburgh to work as a bricklayer with his brother Skip for Broge Masonry Corporation. Sometime after his return, Don and Laura Jane divorced.

Don met his future wife Mary Ann Sham Vogel in Pittsburgh in 1960. Don and Mary were married on August 24, 1963 and settled in the Northside area of Pittsburgh. He welcomed Mary’s children: Harvey Norman, David Anthony, Carol Ann, and Mark Alan as his own. Don and Mary would later welcome Donna Marie and Michelle Marguerite to the growing family. Don continued to lay brick alongside his brother Skip, later joined by his sons David and Mark, for many years.

Don, along with Mary, was known for his musical abilities, whether playing guitar and singing at family gatherings, or sitting down each evening to play the piano. Don was a master of wit and humor (he would say 😊). He would never pass up the opportunity to make a joke, as he dearly loved to laugh. He was also a master of puns, and he took great pleasure in the groans that he would get for the particularly bad ones.

In 2006, Don was diagnosed with prostate cancer and began treatment. His cancer was well-controlled and he lived in good health for many years. In 2020, a resurgence of his prostate cancer prompted another round of treatment, which was successful in slowing the cancer, but not stopping it. In early 2022, when he had exhausted his treatment options, he chose to live out his remaining days in comfort and peace. He passed from this life on the evening of September 6th, at home, surrounded by his wife and children, exactly as he wished.

Don is survived by his wife Mary, his children Donald “Jimmy”, Lon, Laura Lee, Harvey, David, Carol, Mark, Donna, and Michelle. His is survived by 13 grandchildren (Mary, Julie, Amy, Angela, Bryan, Mark Jr., Jessica, David Jr., Richard, Jennifer, Shawn, Morgan and Aislin) and 25 great grandchildren (Chad, Kayla, Amani, Brian, Cameron, Santino, Brianna, Jordan, Kaitlyn, Elizabeth, Kayla, Austin, Skylar, Alyssa, Blaine, Carter, Bridget, Nina, Clara, Anthony, Cory, Zach, Christa, Owen, Eli).

Friends and Family are invited to a visitation at the H.P. Brandt Funeral Home 1032 Perry Hwy Pittsburgh PA on Saturday September 10, 2022 and Sunday September 11, 2022 from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM. A service will take place on Monday September 12th 2022 at 11AM at the funeral home chapel.