Joseph Kamantis Obituary

Joseph Kamantis, 88, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 19, 2013, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Born March 8, 1925, in Plymouth, he was the son of the late Paul and Agatha Kazlauskas Kamantis.

Joe was a member of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Wilkes-Barre.

He was a graduate of Plymouth High School, Class of 1943. After high school, Joe played professional baseball for the Bloomingdale Club. He was taken away from playing baseball to join the U.S. Army Air Corps, during World War II, as a tail gunner. After successfully completing almost all of his missions, except two; he had to "hit the silk" or bail out of his plane.

He worked as an insurance adjuster for Reliance Insurance for 26 years. After his retirement in 1987, he focused on his only true love — being on a golf course. He never married, but always held his faith and family in his heart.

Joe has played on some of the most prestigious golf courses throughout the country. He won the Cazenovia College Open in Binghamton, N.Y., and was presented the trophy by Hall of Famer Gary Player, who won the Pro Tournament in town earlier that week.

He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Binghamton, N.Y.

He was a brother, uncle, bachelor, veteran, golfer, professional baseball player and devout Catholic.

He will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Joe was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Anna Oakschunas, John Kamantis, Helen Eagen, Verna Strumski and George Kamantis.

Surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Wilkes-Barre. Military services will immediately follow in St. Casimir's Cemetery, Muhlenburg. Family and friends may call 9 a.m. to service time.

Funeral arrangements are by S.J.Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, 143 W. Division St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706, in Joe's name.

Visit sjgrontkowskifuneralhome.com to submit condolences to Joe's family.

Published by Citizens Voice on Mar. 21, 2013.
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