Joseph D’Alessandris

Joseph D’Alessandris, 70, of Baltimore, MD, passed unexpectedly on August 25, 2024. Joe was born on April 29, 1954 in Sewickley, PA to the late Giuseppe D’Alessandris and Mirella Montini and raised in Aliquippa, PA.

The son of two Italian immigrants, Joe was proud to grow-up in an Italian community surrounded by many extended family members and close friends. Joe spent his youth playing football and baseball in Aliquippa’s Plan-11 and developed a passion for sports at a young age. Joe was an Eagle Scout and altar boy where he developed a strong faith. His father worked in the steel mill and taught Joe the value of discipline, hard work, and dedication.

These qualities led Joe to earn a football scholarship to Western Carolina University where he was a four year letter winner and Captain as an offensive lineman. Joe graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Parks and Recreation and Physical Education and a master’s degree in Education from Western Carolina. Shortly after college, Joe married Toni D’Alessandris and quickly began a lifelong coaching career that spanned the NCAA Division I and II, the CFL, the World League of American Football, and 16 years in the NFL, including the last seven seasons as the Baltimore Raven’s Offensive Line Coach. Joe was also honored as an inductee to the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame and the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame.

Joe and his family moved often and met many friends at each stop. These relationships developed into lifelong friendships and a team of supporters that cheered him on as his career progressed.

Joe had great success on and off the football field, but it was his connection to others that inspired him. He had the unique ability to make everyone he met feel like they had known him for years, and took the time to learn and care about the personal lives of all of those around him. Joe’s true passion was teaching and developing his players. He strived to bring the best out of “his boys”, and they did the same for him. He cared deeply about each of his lineman and considered them family.

In Joe’s time off the field, he enjoyed long bike rides, walks on the harbor, spending time outdoors, and attending mass. Joe also took pride in making his famous homemade gnocchi and red sauce for his family. Unquestionably, Joe loved his family and extended family. He was a devoted husband, and proud father and Nonno to three girls and five grandchildren whom he loved dearly and brought so much joy to his life. Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Toni D’Alessandris. He is survived by daughters, Anna Thomas and husband Allen of Raleigh, NC, Kelly Olsen and husband Eric of Wilmington, DE, and Emily D’Alessandris of Washington, DC; grandchildren, Maxwell, Mirella Murray, Mayfield, and Violet Thomas of Raleigh, NC, and Charlotte Olsen of Wilmington, DE; sister Linda Schoedel and husband Tony of Portersville, PA; sister-in-law LeAnne Mahaffey and husband Vernon of Hickory, NC; brother-in-law, Rick Mayfield and wife Barbara of Southport, NC; and his beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in his memory be made to St. Leo’s Roman Catholic Church , 227 S Exeter St, Baltimore, MD 21202, or Baltimore City FCA , P.O BOX 10814, Baltimore, MD 21234.