Canonsburg Business Owner Honored as Philanthropist of the Year

A Canonsburg business owner will be honored by the Washington County Community Foundation as the Philanthropist of the Year at a banquet to be held Thursday at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe.

Son of the late Armand and Ann Dellovade, Dellovade was born Jan. 24, 1938, in Avella, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Avella High School in 1957 and attended the University of Pittsburgh from 1957 to 1960.

He began his career as an ironworker for Plasteel Products in the early 1960s. After learning the business, he established his own company.

A. C. Dellovade was incorporated as a metal siding construction company in May of 1973, and today, the company is the country’s foremost metal and roofing and siding contractor, installing specialty siding in places including the assembly buildings at Cape Canaveral and the MX Missile Space Shuttle Complex at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

He admits that he began charitable giving because he wanted to complain.

“In the early ‘70s, I joined the Golden Panthers. I had some complaints and thought they could change a few things," Dellovade said. “I was told, ‘If you want the right to complain, make a donation.’”

He did, and has continued giving both money and advice to his alma mater ever since.

“(Armand’s) generosity for charitable causes is substantial,” said Pete Dellovade, A.C. Dellovade vice president and brother of the honoree. “From the inception of the business, generosity is part of his life.”

In addition to the University of Pittsburgh, Dellovade has given support to the Cleveland Clinic and the Italian Hall of Fame in Chicago for a building to honor Italian athletes.

He was also a major donor to the capital campaign for the Frank Sarris Public Library and has supported Try-Again Homes, Community Action Southwest, the Washington Hospital Foundation, Pathways of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and numerous local youth sports teams.

“If you never hear my name, that’s OK with me,” he said. “You can do a lot of things without anyone knowing who did it.”

Dellovade was selected as the Golden Panther Man of the Year in 1983 by the University of Pittsburgh. He was also president of the Southwest Chapter of the Pitt Golden Panthers, receiving a Member of Distinction Award for his efforts and contributions—among other awards and recognitions.

Dellovade’s advice on philanthropy?: “Everyone should give to something.”

In his honor, the WCCF will establish the Armand C. Dellovade Charitable Fund. Charities to benefit from the fund will be selected by Dellovade annually.

To make a reservation for the Thursday Philanthropy Banquet, please contact the Washington County Community Foundation at 724-222-6330.