Richard James 'Ritchie' Joseph 1316 Farrell Terrace, Farrell, Pa. passed away peacefully at 12:45 a.m. Thursday (2-12-09) in John XXIII Home, Hermitage of natural causes. He was 83.
Richard was born August 3, 1925 in Farrell, Pa. the son of Thomas and Mary Valetich Joseph.
A lifelong city resident, he graduated from Farrell High School in 1943.
Mr. Joseph worked for more than 30 years at the former Sharon Transformer division of Westinghouse Electric Corporation where he was an active member of the International Union of Electrical Workers.
He belonged to Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell.
An avid golfer, he belonged to several leagues over the years including the Tuesday and Thursday leagues at the VFW golf course in Hermitage.
He belonged to the Knights of Columbus Sharon Council 684, Sharon, the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 126, Italian Home Club, and German Home Club, all Farrell.
In his early years he served on the Farrell School Board for a number of years.
He leaves his two daughters, Marguerite A. Yuran, Sharon, and Bernadette Sopko, Cedarburg WI; three grandchildren Tyler, Travis, and Kyle Sopko; Two brothers, David Joseph and his wife Delores, Warren, Ohio, and George Joseph and his wife Virginia, Hermitage.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Marlon Richard James Joseph, and two brothers, Marlin and Leo Joseph.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 601 Roemer Blvd. Farrell, Pa. 16121.
Calling hours: 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday (2-15-09) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St. Sharon. A Rosary will be recited at 7:45 p.m. in the funeral home with Fr. Berdis and the Knights of Columbus.
Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday (2-16-09) in Our Lady of Fatima Church with Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor as celebrant. A brief prayer service will take place in the funeral home at 9:45 prior to leaving for the church.
Interment: St. Elizabeth's Cemetery, Hermitage.