Daniel Edward Della-Giustina peacefully passed away at his home in Morgantown, Friday, April 18, 2025, surrounded by loving family.
A first-generation Italian American, Dan was born on March 4, 1929, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was a son of the late Augusto and Caterina (Bianchi) Della-Giustina, emigrants from northern Italy. Dan grew up in the city’s close-knit Italian enclave, the South End, and attended Technical High School where he excelled on the basketball team. This earned a scholarship to American International College (AIC) in Springfield where he completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Throughout college, he served in the Army National Guard, and after graduation, Senator John F. Kennedy appointed Dan to attend Naval Officer Candidate School at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. While there he attended the wedding reception of John and Jacqueline Kennedy in his Officer Service White Uniform.
Dan loved the coaching profession and moved to Michigan where he was the head basketball coach at Olivet College, and the head football and basketball coach at St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Bay City. In 1961, Dan moved his family to Cheshire, Massachusetts, becoming the head basketball and football coach at Adams High School. He was also the Director of Safety and Health for the city of Pittsfield. In 1973, he completed PhD and EdS degrees from Michigan State University and then worked for Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Company.
In 1975, Dr. Dan Della-Giustina was appointed as a Professor in the Department of Safety and Environmental Management at West Virginia University (WVU), Morgantown. For 17 years, Dan served as the Department Chair, significantly expanding the size and scope of the curriculum and turning it into one of the leading Safety graduate programs in the country. After 40 years as a tenured full professor, Dan retired from WVU in 2015 and was designated a Professor Emeritus.
Universally respected for his expertise across the numerous components of the Safety profession, Dan was inducted into the Safety and Health Hall of Fame International and elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Safety Engineers, their highest recognition. He served on the AIC Board of Trustees for a decade and was inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame for leading the basketball team to the 1952 New England championship.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Victor Della-Giustina and Joseph Della-Giustina, both World War II Veterans; sister, Eleanor Papadakis; and former spouse, Sharon K. Smith Della-Giustina.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; his three sons, Daniel (Andrea) Della-Giustina, of Port St. Lucie Florida, John (Noida) Della-Giustina, of Tucson Arizona, and David (Karen) Della-Giustina, of Orange Connecticut; stepson, Jacob Hyer, of Marlinton; eleven grandchildren, Patrice, Robyn, Daniella, James, Daniel, Katey, Steven, Denise, Marissa, Dana, Elisa; and six great-grandchildren, Kiara, Tyler, Callen, Olivia, Nyalise and Emiliano.
Dan was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Star City, attending church there daily for many decades.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at St. Mary Roman Catholic Church in Morgantown with Father John McDonough as celebrant.
Hastings Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
