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Joseph Plasko Obituary
Born in Chester, he was a son of Patricia A. (Kubilus) Plasko of Tamaqua and the late Joseph A. Plasko.
A 1979 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and communications from Penn State University. While at the university, he was a disc jockey for the campus radio station.
He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Tamaqua, where he also served as a lector.
An avid sports and music fan, Plasko served as president of the Tamaqua YMCA; secretary of the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission; president of Downtown Tamaqua Inc.; secretary of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership; Panther Valley Little League Tournament director; secretary of the Tamaqua High School Hall of Fame; past president and current board member of the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce; a guest sportscaster on radio station WMGH; and was a member of the Nittany Lions Club, the Tamaqua BPO Elks and the Tamaqua Lions Club .
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are a sister, Tricia M. Rocchino of Plymouth Meeting; three brothers, Steven W., and his wife, Nicola, of Lancaster, William J. in Florida and Michael G., and his wife, Susan, of New Orleans, La.; his parents-in-law, Paul and Jean Markovchick, and a grandmother-in-law, Mary Sherpinsky, all of Tamaqua; and nieces and nephews.
Service: Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26, St. Jerome Catholic Church, Tamaqua, with the Rev. James Bechtel officiating. Interment, St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Summit Hill. Call 6-8 p.m. Friday, E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua. Contributions in his name may be made to the church or the Tamaqua YMCA. Online registry at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Plasko
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Jim Albanese
July 22, 2013
I just learned about Joe's passing. I used to work with Joe at WDFM during our Penn State days. We alternated hosting the "Metal Wind" show on Saturday nights. Joe was very knowledgeable about hard rock and metal music, and we spent plenty of time sharing notes about bands and albums off the air. Joe was one of my first "bosses" in my long college and professional radio career. Sorry to hear about his passing, and I send my sincerest condolences.
jeffrey Reehl
May 24, 2011
Doris Meneses don't know if u received my message,for 1972 class reunion, here is my phone 610-730-5312. Jeff Reehl
JEFFREY REEHL
March 29, 2011
I'M VERY SORRY FOR U LOST, JOE ALWAYS WROTE EXCELLENT ARTICLES.
Dan Edwards
March 28, 2011
Joe was a classmate and friend in High School. I saw him regularly at Penn State as well. He was a truly unique and sincere person. I had not seen him for many years, but share your grief nonetheless.
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Kim McGinley Smith
March 27, 2011
Joe will be missed by so many. What a wonderful spirited person. He was so loved and admired by his entire community. What a wonderful legacy.
Diana Camilli
March 27, 2011
Donna and Family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I worked with Joe at the mall. His love and knowledge for music used to amaze me. He taught me a lot. I will never forget how nice he was to me and how GREAT a person he is. I will miss him.
Leo Graham
March 27, 2011
Sincere condolences to the entire Plasko family. Our thoughts are with you.
March 26, 2011
Dear Donna, We want you to know that you have our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you......Anne & Dave Castle ( Cape Coral)
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Chris Berdis
March 26, 2011
I met Joe Plasko at the Times News when I became a weekend sports reporter....I had great times with Joe, Ed Hedes, Emmett McCall, Rod Heckmen and Steve Stallone. We had a blast, Joe bled Tamaqua blue, no matter the outcome of his beloved BLUE, he stood by them. I will cherish the memories of Joe Plasko---I am stunned...my condolences go out to the family--the GREATER Lehigh Valley has lost a true sports MAN!!!!!
Linda Clair
March 26, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Joe's family. I was saddened to hear of their loss.
David Wargo
March 26, 2011
Dear Donna and family,
Words cannot begin to express the loss you have experienced. Joe was a wonderful man, a great colleague and good friend. He will definitely be missed by all of us. You are in our thoughts and prayers as well as Joe's family.
Take comfort that he will always be with you in your heart.
David and Katie Wargo and family
Frank & Cathy Miller
March 25, 2011
Joe will certainly be missed, especially by the kids involved in Sports in the Times News area. He supported each and every one of them. My granddaughter is a member of the Tamaqua Track and Cross Country team and his articles always encouraged and applauded the kids for their efforts as well as their achievements. Our prayers and our sympathy goes out to his family.
Doyle Dietz
March 25, 2011
Where and when I first met Joe is not important, other than it was when I was covering a Tamaqua High athletic event and he was a student, but what is important is that we met. Over the years, he stayed in contact with me until he also joined the journalism profession and out of our friendship I developed a feeling for him as a son I never had.
As much as we shared a passion for high school sports, an ever deeper bond was formed by our appreciation of music, and over the years we literally attended hundreds of events, including sports and concerts, together. Often, my wife and I would be at a concert and she would wonder if Joe was there, and more times than I can remember, we would meet him after the event and rehash what we had seen and heard.
It matters not if someone was fortunate enough to have known Joe for many years or just knew him briefly, they are better for having known him. He will be remembered for his honesty, kindness and fairness in the way he touched so many lives in a positive way.
I will never forget him and his memory will live on for me at every high sporting event -- especially one involving Tamaqua -- and concert I attend.
Betty and I both send our deepest sympathy to Donna and Joe's immediate and extended family.
Tim Robb
March 25, 2011
Joe was a great voice for our local Athletes. Not only for Tamaqua, but for all of the local schools. I know he always gave the Panther Valley wrestlers their due, and he would get excited when any of the local kids excelled. He will be missed!!!
Wendy Borger
March 25, 2011
I had the honor of knowing Joe through work. Although i did not work directly with him i still had contact with him and he was a pleasure to work with. he was a great guy and will be missed very much. Prayers with the family in this time of need.
Debra Zvanut
March 25, 2011
To the Plasko Family, Joe truly was Mr. Tamaqua, and as the previous YMCA Director, I always had his support and enthusiasm for all the there was for the Y to do in the community. He will be missed. My sincere sympathies to the entire family.
Tom Beneck
March 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with the family I am sure Joe will be missed. When we were grade school age he and his brothers used to play a lot of sports with me and my brothers in back of his grandparents home in the alley on Hazel Street. - fond memories - Huck
Janna (Zlock) Scheese
March 24, 2011
So sorry to hear about Joe, my deepest condolences to the entire Plasko family. May God bless you and keep you in his care at this most difficult time.
March 24, 2011
Donna,
My dear cousin we are so sad to get word of Joe's sudden passing. Our thoughts and prayers turn to you and the family . God is with you.
Gina & Joe Matis Fairborn, Ohio
Ward Scheitrum
March 24, 2011
Joe Plasko was a great classmate and a true sports fan. Always enjoyed his intelligence and sense of humor. Deepest sympathies to his family.
Bill Lebo
March 24, 2011
I'm sorry to hear about Joe. My thoughts and prayers to his family. I know he will be missed.
Sue Sturgis
March 23, 2011
Joe was a good soul and will be missed by so many. My deepest condolences to his family.
March 23, 2011
Thoughts and prayers go out to you Joe and to your family. He was a kind and thoughtful person. Always full of energy and motivation. A truly deeply good person. God Bless you. Always know that our Lord is closest to us when our hearts are breaking. Diane Stein ( Romano)
March 23, 2011
My deepest sympathy to all of Joe's family. He was a good person and loved by many. God bless you. Diane Romano
Karen Lenyo Franey
March 23, 2011
So sorry to hear about the passing of Joe. I went to TAHS and PSU with Joe. It is no surprise that he was the organizer of reunions for our TAHS class. He will be missed. Sending thoughts and prayers to the family.
March 23, 2011
Donna, My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. Although it has been many years since I last saw Joe, I will always remember him fondly as a sweet and wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you..Sincerely, Beth Mashack-Antosh
March 23, 2011
We are sorry for your loss, Joe was loved by all, he is a great man, our thoughs and prayers are with the Plasko family- West Penn Fire Co
March 23, 2011
Donna,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. I cannot imagine what you are going through now. Just know that the thoughts and prayers of your family are with you.
Cousin Christine Burnatowski, Allentown
Brian & Casi Gross
March 23, 2011
Donna - May God and his angels keep you near during this time. Joe was an angel himself and we loved chatting with him at Penn's Peak for all of those shows. Please know you have many people praying for you both and your families.
Robert Roche
March 23, 2011
It is with deep sadness that we read of Joe's untimely passing. We worked with Joe for many of the years we were in Tamaqua working in the community. Joe was always involved in what was going on in the Tamaqua area and I am sure Tamaqua and the Times News will miss him along with his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this difficult time.
Bob & Andrea Roche
George & Janice Woodward
March 23, 2011
Donna I am very sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your husband. May God Bless You and the rest of his Family. Your Friends George and Janice Woodward
Darrell and Gail Hoffman
March 23, 2011
Donna and Plasko Family,
I spent some very nice adolescent years with the Plasko family. They are wonderful people and I am shocked by the news of Joe's passing. You and the Plasko family will be in our prayers.
neil kennedy
March 23, 2011
You will always be remembered in my heart Joe.
Jim Kristoff
March 23, 2011
Donna, I am very sorry for your loss. I know Joe since the third grade. I love him like a brother. I will miss him very much.
March 23, 2011
Donna,
Very sorry to hear of your husbands passing.
You will be in my prayers,
Kip Osenbach
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