Joseph A. DiRisio

May 7, 2012

Joseph A. DiRisio, 88, of Hanover section of Nanticoke, passed away unexpectedly Monday, May 7, 2012, in the emergency room in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Born on March 25, 1924 in Girardville, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late Donato and Josephine DiRisio. After his father's death in 1927, Joe was raised in an orphanage in Sunbury sponsored by the International Order of Odd Fellows. He graduated from Sunbury High School in 1942. A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Navy from 1943 until his honorable discharge in November 1945. After his training in diesel engineering maintenance, he was assigned to the ship L.S.T. 28 (Landing Ship Tank) which he served on for the remainder of the war. On June 6, 1944 (D-Day), Joe's ship landed troops on Omaha Beach in the first wave after the invasion of France. He attained the rank of Motor Machinist's Mate third class. Joe was employed by the Jewel Tea Company, based in Barrington, Ill., for 35 years, retiring in 1986 as a promotional salesman to hire and train new employees. He was a devoted Christian and very much enjoyed attending church. He was an active member of the First Primitive Methodist Church, first in Girardville, later in Wilkes-Barre, from 1961 until its closing in 2007, and last at First Primitive Methodist Church, Nanticoke, for the past five years. He held many positions within the church including Sunday School teacher for more than 25 years, president of the Board of Trustees and Sunday School Superintendent. In 2007, he received an award for 42 years perfect attendance; he was a member of American Legion Post 350, Nanticoke; and was president of the Alumni Association of the orphanage, where he was raised and kept in touch with many of his classmates to this day. He was preceded in death by twin brothers; three sisters; and sister-in-law, Harriett Tarr. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, the former Edna Jones, native of Girardville; sons, Joseph P. DiRisio, Plains Township; David DiRisio and his wife, Colleen, Exeter; daughter, Elaine Halesey, and her husband, Peter, Hanover Township; grandchildren, Peter J. Halesey, who will graduate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law this Friday; Christopher Halesey, who will be a senior at the University of Pittsburgh; and Anna Katerina (Katie) Anderson-DiRisio, finishing eighth grade this year; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Jones, Hanover Township; close family friend Mary Oliveri, Hanover Township; 12 nieces and nephews, most in California. Funeral services will be held Thursday 9 a.m. from Davis-Dinelli Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad St., Nanticoke, with the Rev. Kyle Gildner, his pastor, officiating. Private interment will be in Christ Church Cemetery, Fountain Springs, near Ashland. Visitation will be this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. If desired, the family would appreciate contributions in Mr. DiRisio's memory be made to First Primitive Methodist Church, 101 E. Church St., Nanticoke, PA 18634.