Eli Basara, 99, died Tuesday April 11, 2023. Eli was born in Export, the youngest of 9 children of the late Melo and Mary (Tomick) Basara, on February 29, 1924. He loved to joke about being a leap year baby and that he was only 24 years old, and in a way he was.
He loved life and was inquisitive about everything around him, including people, but especially food, particularly fried food. He would always say; “I like it, but it would taste much better if it was fried.”
Eli had great memories of growing up in Export, and had countless stories about local adventures, hardships, and the bond between family and friends in the community. Everyone knew everyone. Those early days made a strong impression on Eli, and he loved nothing more than sitting around a table, with family and friends, sharing a meal, and sharing stories. He had a very quick wit, was a master of the “one liner”, and loved meeting new people and developing new friendships.
He met the love of his life, Dolores (Battiston) Basara in Export, where she was working in a movie theater owned by her father, Mario. They were married for 71 years. And their subsequent family became paramount to them; trying to instill the beauty of life and offering each one every opportunity they could. They were part of their children throughout their lives, spending time visiting, helping with new homes, new grandchildren, and great grandchildren; in any way they could- and always with laughter and a smile on their face. In their later years, they started traveling throughout the USA, including Hawaii; but also, visiting Italy, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, China as well as. Their infectious curiosity and character were admired by many in those countries.
Eli loved holidays, weddings, parties, and Sunday dinners – any time friends could gather, share a laugh, and share good food. On special Sundays, he would cook a large breakfast while the rest of the family went to church, and they would return to a feast of giant pancakes, French toast, bacon, and eggs. He took joy in having all his children home for the holidays, bringing their growing families. There was always enough food and enough room for any last-minute surprise guests. His favorite holidays were the Serbian Orthodox holidays, usually celebrated in Export, where he and his brothers would roast lamb, and traditional meals were served.
With his brothers and friends from Export, Eli founded Fair Rock, a camp in Port Allegheny, PA. They purchased and relocated an old Quonset hut to Fair Rock, and they spent hunting and fishing seasons enjoying each other’s company, as well as the beautiful mountains and streams surrounding the camp. Eli continued to go to camp with his good friend George Grubich from Export for as long as they were able, and the camp continues today with the same basic camp rules in effect. Eli instilled his love of nature in his family, teaching many of them how to hunt and fish. As he aged, Eli loved just sitting quietly and enjoying nature—a warm day, a beautiful bird, or seeing deer or turkey on a hillside.
Eli joined the Army Air Corp at age 17, to serve in WW II alongside all his brothers. He also attended the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
Eli enjoyed restoring wooden furniture for family and friends, and those pieces are treasured family heirlooms. He was an avid vegetable gardener and loved to have the first red tomato in the area.
Eli worked at the Westinghouse East Pittsburgh plant until his retirement. He also ran the family-owned business, Export Metal Products, casting aluminum products and street signs, many of which are still visible today in cities and towns across the country. With his wife working alongside him in the evenings, Eli and Dolores would paint each street sign by hand and package them for shipping to their buyers.
Eli was predeceased in death by his parents, his wife Dolores, his two sons at a very young age, Joseph and David, a son-in-law Scott Tyler, and his siblings, Lillian Basara, Mildred Bobich, Annie Easha, Pete Basara, Paul Basara, Nick Basara, Mike Basara, and Katherine Basara.
Eli will be sadly missed by his surviving children: Mary (Basara) Tyler and Mike Adam, Nick and Denise Basara, Michael Basara, Diane (Basara) and Victor Britton, Jim and Gaylynn Basara; and his grandchildren Nikki Lynn (Basara) and J.J. Long, Emily (Basara) and Justin Killian, Mario and Valeria Basara, Simon Baker, and David Britton. He is also survived by four great grandchildren, Anthony and Alex Long, Sara Killian and Gabriella Basara and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no visitation at this time, but the family plans a celebration of Eli’s and Dolores’ lives in the summer.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Westmoreland Manor for the care they provided to Eli in his last years, and Frank Mechling of Oak View Physical Therapy for his work with Eli. We would also like to thank the many friends that Eli had among the residents at Westmoreland Manor.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to a charity of your choice in Eli’s memory.
For online condolences, please visit www.ottfuneralhome.com.