Joseph Ralph Gartner was born on May 25, 1925, the son of Joseph Nicodemus Gartner and Marcella Barbara Mang.  He was born in the family home on Mt. Troy Road, Pittsburgh, PA.  This house was built by his grandfather, August Gartner.  

Joseph's Uncle Herman (his dad's youngest brother) took a great liking to the young toddler.  Apparently, Herman also took a great liking to Bock Beer, and frequently mentioned that he was "Going to have a Bock."   Every time young Joseph heard him say the word "Bock," he would break out into fits of laughter.  Joseph must have pronounced this as "Buck," and his Uncle Herman nicknamed him "Buck"--which has stayed with him all his life.  (I have to tell you that, as his daughter, I was somewhat surprised to find out that my father's namesake was a beer!)

Joseph's favorite toys as a young child were a set of stencils, a printing set, and a wind-up  "Amos & Andy" taxi cab, his "Flexible Flyer",  and his blue & yellow bike with head and tail lights and carrier basket (his first bike).  This beautiful bike was stolen from the back yard shortly after he got it,  and was eventually replaced with a red bike by his father.  

When he was in 4th grade, Joseph took group piano lessons from a "spinster lady" named Esther Kretz, who lived in an old house down a path from Mt. Troy Road, through Schneider's farm and about half-way to Spring Garden.  He took lessons once a week along with 4 other children.  The lessons were one hour long and cost 50 cents each.   Joseph would then go back home and teach his brothers what he learned.  (He eventually taught his own daughter, Becky, what he learned in these lessons, also.)

Joseph attended St. Aloysius Grade School on Mt. Troy Road.  He and his brothers would walk the 3/4 mile to school every day, carrying a little suitcase that contained all of their lunches.  It was Joe's job to distribute the food to his brothers at lunch time.  The school was located in three classrooms underneath the church and convent.  One room had 1st and 2nd grades; one had 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades; and one had 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.  Joseph  was an excellent student.  He was awarded the American Legion School Award upon his graduation  on June 23, 1939.  (please see documents page.)  One teacher who he remembered fondly was Sister Pietra, who taught him in 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  This is also where he met his future wife, Eleanore Hilda Waltz--even though she didn't like him much at the time!

As a young child, Joseph enjoyed hiking in his neighborhood.  He and a group of other children would hike down to Wohleber's fruit orchards in the hollow below the farm fields.  The kids would help themselves to apples, pears and peaches there.  They'd look for turtles, frogs, etc. in the little stream that ran through the area.  Joseph maintained a "fleet of turtles"--he had black, green, orange and spotted turtles, totaling probably 10 at a time.  He kept them on the side porch in a home-made aquarium, complete with caves and an island.  One night a high-wind storm came through the area and blew the whole turtle empire away - no more turtles! (Joseph continues to this day to have a great fascination for turtles.)  His family also had dogs as pets - a black and white fox terrier formally named "Sir Henry Spotsworth" and when he died, a white, short-legged mixed breed named "Whitey."

His favorite sport as a young man (and still to this day) was baseball.  Almost every Sunday during baseball season, he and his cousin, Bob Heid, would go down to East Ohio Street and board the old orange 27/54 street car, which would drop them off right at Forbes Field.  They would purchase 50-cent bleacher seats in left field.  They didn't have to spend money on food, because they would take a brown-bag lunch along with sandwiches, cookies and apples.  Joseph and his cousin also enjoyed stock car races and demolition derbies.  They would travel for miles on street cars to get attend these events.

Joseph enjoyed reading very much as a boy (and still so as an adult.)  His favorite books were:  Treasure Island, Huckleberry Finn, The Silver Chalice, Ben-Hur, and also boys' mystery books.  He also enjoyed reading National Geographic and the Saturday Evening Post magazines.

Joseph attended North Catholic High School, where he was the editor of his school newspaper and the yearbook  and the salutatorian of his class when he graduated on June 9, 1943.  North Catholic was located two miles from his home, and Joseph either walked or rode his bike to school.  In the winter, Joseph fashioned  tire chains from copper window chains for his bike so that he could navigate the snowy and icy roads.

After graduating from high school, Joseph applied for a job in the Post Office (they were short on manpower because of the war.)  After passing an oral test, he was assigned to the Etna Post Office, where his job was to deliver all the mail for the housing project on the hill.  He started at $.87/hour and was raised to $.94/hour by the time he was drafted into the army.

He served in the US Army during World War II in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines and received his honorable discharge on January 26, 1946.

After the war, he became a bricklayers apprentice with his father, Joseph C. Gartner, which he completed in January of 1951.  Joseph eventually took over the masonry business when his father retired.

He married Eleanore Hilda Waltz on February 14, 1953 at St. Aloysius Church  in Reserve Township by Father Joseph Young.  Eleanore was born on May 20, 1925, the daughter of Mamertus (Mert) Waltz and Catherine Meier.  Joe was attracted to Eleanore for a long time, but was too shy to ask her out.  One Christmas he got up the nerve to give her a little present, and then took her out a few times.  He claims that he proposed to her just about every time he talked to her, but that she was determined to remain single.  She finally accepted one of his proposals in the fall of 1952 while he was giving her a driving lesson.   I think that her acceptance must have shook them both up, because Eleanore never did learn to drive until much later in her life!   Joe and Eleanore traveled through Mexico on their honeymoon. 

Joseph & Eleanore's Wedding - 2-14-1953

(Maureen Waltz, Maid of Honor & Dick Gartner, Best Man)

Joseph and Eleanore have always been very involved in the lives of their 3 children and 7 grandchildren.  They both sing on the church choir, and Joe also sings for the Harmony Line Chorus--a barbershop music group.  Joseph teaches English for the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council.  Eleanore keeps busy with various charitable activities, including cooking wonderful meals for her family and also for many community members who are feeling down for various medical reasons.  (Joe frequently teases her that he does "Meals on Wheels," as he is usually responsible for delivering all the cooked meals to everyone.)  Eleanore also enjoys entering (and winning!) contests--usually either contests that are associated with KDKA, her favorite radio station,  or baking contests.  She has won many prizes, including trips. (My children & I were lucky enough to go along on the trip to Hawaii!)

Family Picture taken at Joe & Eleanore's 35th Wedding Anniversary

In the spring of 2004, Joe and Eleanore moved from the family home on Mt. Troy Road to a retirement community in Wexford called Blueberry Hill.