Joseph "JoJo" Gillow

September 20, 2011

Joseph "JoJo" Gillow, 78, of Avoca and formerly of Duryea, passed away Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at the Riverstreet Manor Nursing Facility after a difficult battle with cancer. Born in Duryea, he was a son of the late Joseph and Margaret Gibbons Gillow and step-son of the late Rose Cieri Gillow. He was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea, and a 1951 graduate of Duryea High School. JoJo held many jobs in his lifetime including mechanic for Kohn Taxi, service manager for Penn Auto, owner of Gillow's Garage in "the Flats" of Scranton, truck driver, machinist and salesman for Craft Oil Corporation, and owner/operator of Meineke Discount Muffler Shop in Wilkes-Barre. Most of his life revolved around automobiles, either fixing or racing them, including racing stock cars on the local racing circuit. He has raced at Moc-A-Tek Speedway, Penn Can Speedway and 5-Mile Point Speedway. He was racecar driver of the year and served as a past president of the Moc-A-Tek Speedway. Later in life, his greatest joy was his first grandchild, Sara. She was his "pumpkin," and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her. Joe truly enjoyed being a grandfather to his three grandchildren and being a father to his two girls. In retirement he kept busy by going to the auction with his good friend, Dan Boich, as well as traveling to Las Vegas, Florida and North Carolina. Joe could often be found going out to lunch or dinner especially with his "pumpkin." An infant daughter, several aunts, uncles and cousins preceded him in death. His wife, the former Romaine Sadowski, survives him. They were married for 54 years. Daughters, Romaine and husband Michael Astolfi, and Jodi Lukowich and companion Lowell Stoss; and three grandchildren, Sara Lukowich, and Noelle and Zachary Astolfi, also survive. His family would like to thank Riverstreet Manor for its outstanding care and understanding, especially Barb, Cathy, Ann, Lisa and Aisha, and the rest of the staff of station one. Thanks also go to Hospice Community Care. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Duryea, with Fr. Andrew Sinnott officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday evening. Interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Riverstreet Manor, Resident Council, 440 North River Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702. Online condolences may be made to www.kiesingerfuneralservices.com .