oseph H. Summers Jr., 66, of Sunshine Road, Shickshinny, died Sunday morning, April 28, 2013, in the emergency room at the Berwick Hospital Center.
Joseph was born Nov. 24, 1946, in Union, S.C., a son of Joseph H. Summers, Chester, N.J. and the late Helen (Cash) Summers.
Joe graduated from Edison High School, Edison, N.J. and attended Rutgers University. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War as an Airman First Class (AFC1) stationed in Thailand. He was an active member with the Sylvania Lodge 354 F. & A.M. of Shickshinny for 13 years. He had served on the Committee On Youth, and as a Senior Master of Ceremonies and more recently he was appointed as the lodge's representative for The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation.
Early in his career, Joe started and owned Paul Bunyon's Tree Service. He went on to become a member of the Ironworkers Union Local 11 and later the Carpenters Union Local 645. Throughout his life, Joe oversaw and contributed to the construction of many prominent local sites including the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant, the Mohegan Sun Casino and most recently the historic restoration of Eckley Miners' Village. He also played a primary role in the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project. Joe loved adventure and culture, which inspired him to work as head foreman on a project building bridges and roads in the African Congo.
Joe was an avid outdoorsman and an active member of the United Sportsman Camp 271 of Huntington Mills and the Wilkes-Barre Rifle and Pistol Club. In addition, he was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and served as an NRA Range Safety Officer, a coach for the local Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) and a Hunter-Trapper Education Instructor.
As a gifted craftsman, Joe spent much of his time doing carpentry and woodworking and took great pride in building his family's new home. Other hobbies included fishing, hunting, cooking and working on his Plymouth Hot Rod. However, Joe's most important lifework was his dedication to mentoring and teaching his son Ryan.
Joe made friends everywhere he went. He was a joy to be around and was loved by all. He was a speaker, an educator and a mentor to countless people. Many say he was like a father, a brother and a best friend.
Joe was an active volunteer, helping many individuals and organizations in the community. He recently completed his training as a Pennsylvania State Constable and was to be sworn in this coming week.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Summers.
Surviving in addition to his father are his wife, the former Paula Martini, whom he married on Jan.12, 1985; two daughters, Amber Summers, Kingston and Alison Stauffer and her husband Brian, Julian, Pa.; a son, Ryan, at home; and three sisters, Terry McShane and husband Thomas, Somerset, N.J.; Cindy Tafuni and husband Michael, Long Valley, N.J., and Jill Summers, Flemington, N.J.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 4, at noon at Holy Spirit Parish/St. Mary's Church, Mocanaqua, with the Rev. James Rafferty as celebrant. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. The family will then receive friends at the Mayo Funeral Home Inc., 77 N. Main St., Shickshinny, from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Masonic services will be conducted by Sylvania Lodge 354 at 2 p.m. American Legion Post 495 will conduct military services at 5 p.m. For additional information, or to send condolences, please visit www.mayofh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Dearest Paula and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love and peace to you.
Donna and Neil Thompson
May 8, 2013
Every once in a while I would visit one of my construction projects and see Joe there. I never had to go back because I knew with him in charge it would be built right, on time, and under budget. He surely will be missed.
Daryl Pawlush
May 2, 2013
Paula, I am so sorry for your loss. No words can express what you are feeling. I hope that you can find some comfort through GOD. I will be praying for you.
Darlene Richardson
May 1, 2013
My heart goes out to you and your family, Paula. Joe was such a kind and friendly man. Cherish all your wonderful memories.
Carol Jones Kasper
May 1, 2013
Paula and family. So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in all your wonderful memories. You are in my prayers.
Jennifer Hiller
May 1, 2013
Paula, We offer our sincere condolences to you and your family regarding the passing of Joe. We are in St. Louis and just read the Times Leader, which needless to say, shocked and saddened us. Our prayers are with you and yours.
Mary Jean and Jerry Bau
May 1, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Summers family
Lori Madl
April 30, 2013
Paula I am so sorry for your lost.We just had a good time with him at the dart party ,he will be miss.Love you.You need anything just call please 570-357-8131
Michelle Dzoch
April 30, 2013
I didnt know him well, but everytime I saw him he acknowedged me like a true freind. My condolences to all his loved ones. Stay strong Paula and Allison!
Jerry Blazick
April 30, 2013
Paula. So sorry you r going through this pain You have a lot of good memories to think about and smile again
Terri and Albert Tkaczyk
April 30, 2013
Joe was great guy and will be missed.I am so sorry for you loss.
Mark Schultz
April 30, 2013
Paula and family, although I did not know Joe very well, I was saddened to hear of his passing. He being a Mason I have no doubt that he was a good man of great moral character. On behalf of myself and The George M. Dallas lodge 531 I extend to all of you our most sincere condolences
Damien
April 30, 2013
Paula. Joe will be missed by a lot of people we sure will miss him. I know this is a very difficult time for you but remember the good times and smile
April 30, 2013
Paula & family - our heartfelt sympathy to you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Nancy & Arden Meeker
April 30, 2013
Paula - our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. Arden and I are so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Nancy & Arden Meeker.
April 30, 2013
We're so sorry for your loss.
John & Kathy Pesta
April 30, 2013
I am a member of the Huntington Mills Sportsmen Club. Joe will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Ed Cragle
April 30, 2013
Joseph V Scali
April 30, 2013
Paula,Amber,Ryan and extended Summers family. Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family at this most difficult time. We are shocked at the sudden passing of Joe. May the vast wonderful memories of his life carry your family through these coming days. Our thoughts and prayers will be with your family, our condolences.
Eric & Patricia Madl
April 30, 2013
Paula and family;We are so very sorry to hear of Joe's passing.I wish there was more that I could do besides offering our thoughts and prayers to you and the entire family.Joe was a good friend to me,and a very good man,and there aren't enough of them in the world today. John + Linda Evanitus
John Evanitus
April 30, 2013
Paula & Family,
We are so sorry to hear about Joe. May God's strength carry you through this difficult time. May your heart forever hold near & dear the wonderful memories of him as you continue on. Prayers and hugs.
Kenny & Veldra Kishbaugh
Veldra Kishbaugh
April 30, 2013
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Nancy and Pete Long
April 30, 2013
PAULA, MY HEART BREAKS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. LOSING SOME ONE SO SPECIAL IS NOT EASY.. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
JANET & JOHN THOMAS
April 30, 2013
Paula and family, i'm so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Wayne Shoemaker sr
April 30, 2013
Paula and family,we are sorry for your loss.Joe was a wonderful and caring person.Our thoughts and prayers are with you an your family.
Len and Kathy Zagata
April 30, 2013
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Have comfort knowing God has opened his arms and received him. God bless you at this sad time.
Donna Redmond
April 30, 2013
Paula we are so sorry for the passing of Joe and for the pain you and your family are going through our deepest heart felt sympathy goes out to all of you as you go through this difficult time....love always and may god bless you always!!
April 30, 2013
So sorry. I love you guys...
Wayne Burnside
April 30, 2013
I really don't know what to say Paula, other than I am extremely sorry for your loss. We have many good memories of Joe.
Love to all of you.
Vicki and Denny Lowery
April 30, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Summer family from the daughter of an Iron Worker of Locals 361 & 40.
April 30, 2013
Paula and family, we are so sorry to hear of Joe's passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. May all the happy memories of Joe bring you through this difficult time.
Garry & Cathy May
April 30, 2013
We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe.
Jake and Karen
Karen and Jake Baluta
April 30, 2013
Paula, Karen and were saddened to hear of Joe's passing. The obituary is beautiful and speaks to the he was; caring, involved, and loving and he'll be surely missed by all. If there's anything we can do for you and your family please allow us to help. May God bless.
Steve Malishchak
April 30, 2013
Paula and Ryan, I am very sorry for the loss of Joe, I will miss him a lot. He was always there for me at our Masonic lodge helping with our fish fry's and breakfast. Truly sorry Chuck Cortese
April 30, 2013
<3 TEARS AND ALWAYS HAPPY THOUGHTS OF u!!! u WILL BE MISSED!!! <3 <3
Kim Marr
April 30, 2013
Paula- Sorry to hear of your loss, May God be with you in the days ahead to give you strength. Prayers ti yiu & your family
Lucy Hoffman
April 30, 2013
I will always remember our fishing trips to lake ontario during construction at susquehanna, I wish we could do them all over again.
Rest with god Joe.
sincerly .
Bill Williams
April 30, 2013
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