Karl Phillip Kargle

Karl Phillip Kargle, 77, of Grafton West Virginia, went peacefully to be with the lord on Wednesday May 28th with his life partner, Jeffery C. Stasko, of 48 years by his side. He was born October 20, 1947 in Mckeesport PA. He is the son of the late Ernest and Helen Kargle of West Newton. The loving brother of Terri Ann (Michael) Rubosky, Uncle to Haley (Alex) Maatta and Dawn (Kemper) Bane. Great Uncle to nephew Kaiden Bane and the best cousin to Bobbi Ann (frank) Magruda, and a friend to all. Karl was a graduate of Rostraver High School, class of 1965. He went on to California State college for a bachelors in education. He received his masters from Duquesne University in Special Education. He worked for the Intermediate Unit 1 for 33 years doing what he loved most, teaching his special needs children. Both Karl and Jeff were pioneers in the start of what became the area on the North side of Pittsburgh, known as the Mexican War Streets. Together they purchased one of the first $100 homes in the neighborhood. Their love for the historic neighborhood led them to purchase many homes and apartment buildings to rent. They then purchased the neighborhood convenience store, with friend Robert Sell Jr. called the “The Mexican War Streets Food Emporium.”  After years of being landlords, they ventured out and purchased the historic Boggs and Buhl department store owners abandoned, boarded up mansion. Restoration took 2 years to complete and soon became “The Inn on the Mexican War Streets”, a boutique hotel, voted #1 in many Pittsburgh Magazines. This wasn’t enough for Karl, they then went on to restore the chestnut lined carriage house behind the inn, into a fine dining restaurant called “Acanthus” and it too was voted best restaurant in Pittsburgh with guests comparing it to French Laundry in California. After 45 years in the Mexican War Street neighborhood the area was one of the most desirable places to live in the Pittsburgh area. Both Karl and Jeff were looking of a more peaceful life, they decided to purchase 200 acres of property in the mountains of West Virginia. There they decided to build their dream mountain lodge, still under construction, to share with the rest of the world.  A place of peace and quiet with the hopes of opening the first upscale retirement community for both gay and straight to enjoy. Besides being an entrepreneur and visionary, his greatest passion was traveling. It was always Karl’s desire to see the 7 continents of our world. 2 years ago, both him and Jeff embarked on an ocean cruise to Antarctica to walk with the penguins, this was the final continent he had to see. His hobbies included sending greeting cards and postcards to anyone he ever met around the world. Every Christmas he would hand calligraphy over 200 cards to send to everyone he loved.  In his youth he achieved things most would only dream of, he was a featured dancer on American Bandstand and loved to tap. He was an avid drummer and would drum on anything he could find. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran church in Pittsburgh and the Mother’s Day church in Grafton, WV.  His life was so full, but now it’s time to say goodbye, we will see you at the 8th continent until we meet again. A service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 616 W. North Ave Pittsburgh PA, on June 22,2025 at 12:00. A Sunday brunch to follow.