Joseph Leslie "Bear" Pacifico, 426 Superior St., Hermitage, passed away peacefully at 9:59 a.m. Monday (9-17-12) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. He was 77. He was born March 10, 1935 in Sharon the son of Guido "Weda" and Flora Dangerfield Pacifico (Gallo). He was a lifelong area resident who graduated from Sacred Heart School and attended Sharon Schools. He retired from General Motors Lordstown plant, Warren, Ohio, where he was a grievance man with the United Auto Workers Union, local # 1112. He previously worked for Erie Rail Road, Shenango Furnace, Sharpsville, and the former Purdy Chevrolet in Herimitage. He was a life member of Sacred Heart Church, Sharon. A Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Joe was an all around sportsman who enjoyed umpiring, coaching, managing, and especially playing for several softball teams over the years. He played for teams like the Variety Club, the Mean Machine, Mr. Steak, Greenville Niagara, and Dr. Crowes Hubbard Team. He would reminisce about his different experiences while playing softball like the time he played a prison team and the times he played against the infamous Ed Feighner's softball team who was known as the "King and his Court". His team also played against the California Cuties which was a team of men who dressed like ladies on the field. In his younger years he volunteered for the F.H. Buhl Club and helped A. J. Record with his "Super Circus" and the "Whiz Kids". Along with Coach Kenneth Wiley, Joe coached boy's basketball at the South Water Street Elementary School and took them to their first championship game. In his youth Joe and Rocky Ranelli were familiar faces at the Thornton Hall Roller Rink and they were considered master skaters at the rink. He belonged to both the Loyal order of Moose, and the Italian Home, both Farrell. An avid bowler he bowled in several leagues including the Mixed Nuts league for couples and their offspring's, and the Monday Night Men's league where he served as past president. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed both deer hunting and small game hunts. His wife the former Shirley M. Davidson whom he married April 30, 1955, survives at home. He leaves his daughter, Tina M. Sanson and her husband Stephen, Sharon, a son, Joseph L. Pacifico and his wife Gloria, West Middlesex, He also leaves five grandchildren, Bradley Carroll and his wife Angie, Amy Zolnier and her husband Steve "Kong", and Sean Carroll, all of Sharon, Chelsea Pacifico, Hermitage, and Joseph L. Pacifico III, West Middlesex, and three great grandchildren, Bryce and Seth Carroll, and Aiden Pacifico, and his only God son Tony Vadala and his wife Kerry, Granger, IN. He was preceded in death by his parents and a step father Fred Gallo and a step mother Josephine Pacifico. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of the donors choice. Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday (9-20-12) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St ., Sharon. Condolences may be sent to his family by visiting the web site www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday (9-21-12) at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, with Rev. Henry C. Andrae, pastor, as the celebrant. A brief prayer service will take place at 10:15 a.m. in the funeral home chapel prior to leaving for the church. Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage.