Joseph Debsky Obituary

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH | Joseph Debsky, 85, died Friday, March 2, 2007 at Myrtle Beach Manor.

Born April 1, 1921 in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Steve and Pauline Debsky Sr.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Debsky served his country during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He received the rank of Staff Sergeant while training for radio and signal corps at Ft. Meade, Md. and Shreveport, La. He was assigned to the 6th Army in 1944 as Comm. Chief at the battle of South Philippines. He was awarded the Philippines Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon and Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star.

He received a B.S. degree in music education from Indiana University of Pa. and a Master's in music ed. from Penn State University. He taught music in Elderton Joint Schools, Kittanning area schools and Oakmont and Riverview schools as instrumental and music teacher. He was in charge of Concert, Marching and Jazz Bands and general music in grades 4 to 12.

Mr. Debsky started his first band, Lanny Stevens, in 1940. After he retired in 1983 he formed another band, the Gentlemen of Swing Dance Orchestra, in 1986. It was a popular Big Band among the Grand Strand, N.C. and Georgia ballrooms.

He was secretary, vice president and president of the Elderton Lions Club and secretary of the Armstrong District Lions Club of Pa.

A member of VFW Post 10804 of North Myrtle Beach, he was also a member of Little River United Methodist Church.

Mr. Debsky leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Esther Debsky of North Myrtle Beach; one son, Barry Debsky of Conway; one daughter, Diane Skuza (Brian) of Atlanta; one brother, Steve Debsky; two sisters, Stella Zakesky and Ann Stanek; and two grandsons, Cameron and Cary Skuza.

He was predeceased by one brother, Alex Debsky.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at Little River United Methodist Church. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium. The family will receive friends immediately following the services in the Fellowship Hall.

Please sign a guest book at MyrtleBeachOnline.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little River United Methodist Church, PO Box 160, Little River, SC 29566 or InCare Hospice, 4685 Hwy 17. S. Bypass, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sun News on Mar. 4, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Debsky

14 Entries

Luella Curzi

March 18, 2007

Dear Esther and family,
I have really been saddened hearing about Mr.Debsky passing on----
He certainly was respected as a great Music Teacher and Band Leader at Elderton H.S.-----and one of my favorites. (He took us marching to many of the surrounding towns for parades----and it was always fun)!
Please just know----you all are in my thoughts and Prayers---and you have my deepest sympathy.

Sincerely---Luella (Schall) Curzi

Charlesetta (Miller) Bleakney

March 18, 2007

Dear Esther, I was sorry to hear of Mr. Debsky's passing. He was my favorite teacher and I will always be grateful to him for giving me the love of music. It is a very important part of my life. I was a band member at Elderton High School and graduted in the class of 1959.

Shirley Schall

March 17, 2007

Dear Esther,
Mr. Debsky was my favorite teacher and I will always remember the wonderful band leader he was. Bob and I both had the honor of having him as our teacher. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Shirley (Miller) and Bob Schall
Elderton (Class of 1962 and 1958)

Kathy Graff

March 16, 2007

Mr. Debsky was a wonderful teacher and musician. Music has been an important part of my life and it all started with him teaching me to play flute in elementary school at Elderton.

Dan & Patty (Gass) Cook

March 11, 2007

As two of Mr. Debsky's original high school band students at Oakmont High School, we were both extremely sorry to hear of his passing. He was a creative, supportive, and genuinely kind man whose words of encouragement were always welcome and appreciated. We both will always remember how he took our rather rag-tag high school band program and, in short order, turned it into an organization we all could be proud of. We both still credit our lifelong love of music to him and his teaching. Mrs. Debsky, Barry, and Diane and all of your family - may God bless each and every one of you and give you the support you need during these difficult days.

Earlen Free

March 11, 2007

So sorry to hear of mr. Debsky passing away. Our prayers are with you and the family. I was a band student at Elderton High School, class of 1958.

Linda Hileman (Moore)

March 7, 2007

My sincere condolences to the Debsky family. I was an Elderton High School band member and a student of his for many years. He was a wonderful caring person, a great musician and teacher, and even though losing touch since 1964 I have remembered him fondly when I look back to those school years.

Kathy Bazzarre, Facilitator, N. Strand AD Supprot Group

March 6, 2007

Dear Esther,
I will keep you and your family in my daily prayers. May our Almighty Father watch over you. May our Precious Savior hold you in His Arms. And, may the Holy Spirit bless each of you with comfort, strength in the days to come and a peace of heart only our Creator can give.

Jim Lacey

March 5, 2007

My prayers and fondest wishes go to the Debsky family. I was a band student many years ago at Oakmont and Riverview. At one of the past class reunions many of us band alumni were very glad to hear of his continued success as a band leader after his public school career. It must have been a joy to watch him and hear him play with others more equal to his talent. I was lucky to have the opportunity to learn from him during his many years of service.
My prayers are with Joe's spirit and his family Ester, Diane and Barry.

Megan Loeffler Hendrix

March 4, 2007

Mrs. Debsky, Diane and Barry, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. it doesn't seem as if it was so long ago, there were these three girls taking clarinet lessons at Gilmore school from Mr. Debsky. Me, Diane and Barb Yerrick. He gave a lot of us the foundation to our love of music for the rest of our lives.

Sharon (Smith) Gamble

March 4, 2007

My condolences to the Debsky family. I remember the great teacher he was at Elderton Joint High School & the fun we had in his music classes. Although, I was not a band member, I know he had a lot of respect from my classmates in his music classes & the band members. I don't recall ever seeing him since 1964 at graduation. He will be missed by all. Sharon (Smith) Gamble

Lory Loeffler Truschel

March 4, 2007

To the Debsky Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the death of your husband and father. He taught me how to play the clarinet many, many years ago. I have fond memories of band camp and marching band with Mr. Debsky and his paper plate markers.

Cookie Fondren

March 4, 2007

Dear Mrs. Debsky.... Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I have very fond memories of Mr. Debsky.

Rob Arnold

March 4, 2007

I want to express my condolences to the Debsky family, especially Mrs. Debsky, Barry, and Diane. It's been a while since I've seen any of you, and although we gave Mr. Debsky some grief during his years at Oakmont/Riverview, we also learned a lot from him and had a lot of fun with him. He took us on the only band trip I ever got to go on, to the Cherry Blossom Festival, and I will always remember a comment made to me expressing his concern for my well-being after the long parade. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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