JOSEPH MAURICE PRADA

JOSEPH MAURICE PRADA was reunited with his wife of 58 years, Agnes Coleman Prada, on January 12, 2023 one day after what would have been her 90th birthday. He died peacefully at 95 years of age surrounded by family.

Joe was born in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. His mother Alfhild Cornell had emigrated from Norway as a child. Her parents settled near the Great Lakes area where her father worked as a ship’s carpenter. Alfhild married Joseph Alexander Prada (born in Chicago, IL) and they had their only child, Joseph, on February 11, 1927.

Joe attended John Marshall High School. Right out of school, he entered the U.S. Navy where he served in WWII (Pacific Theater). Upon his return, he entered The Ohio State University. He then served for two years in the U.S. Air Force (Korean Conflict) before returning to OSU and completing his degree in Business Administration.

When he returned home he met his beautiful wife, Agnes, a nurse in the Cleveland area. In her extended family he found 17 brothers and sisters.

Joe worked at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital (MetroHealth), Mount Sinai Hospital, and Lutheran Medical Center as the Director of Materials Management.

As a founding member of Saint John Bosco Parish, Joe was dedicated in his service of over 30 years. In his later life, he continued that service along with Agnes at Saint Mary of the Falls Parish.

Joseph had the courage to build his life around what was really important to him: family, faith, and service to others. He left the greatest legacy one can pass on, a legacy of character and faith.

Joe was the beloved father of Mary Tabbaa (Mousab), Joseph C. (Angela), James (Susan), Debbie, Maureen Roth (James), Karen Fornaro (Ron), Jeannie Ventura (Damian), and William C. (Janelle). He is the cherished grandfather of Sarah Lamia, Maria Ramella (James), Adam (Stacey), JeanAnn Morrow (Michael), Laura, Laith Tabbaa; Rebecca Smanik (Tim), Elizabeth Petraitis (KC), and Joseph T. Prada; Shannon and James M. Prada; Lauren Long (Michael), Malorie Thornton (RJ) and Ron Nowak (Taylor Bittler); Tyler, Colleen Hymes (Daniel) and Lauren Roth; Rachael Mauk (Bryan), Steven (Erin Erney), Ron and Anthony Fornaro; Dominic Ventura (Taylor Kantura); and Caden, Aubrey and Kelsey Prada. Joe is the beloved great-grandfather of Julius, Luca and Emmeline Ramella; Rey Elizabeth and Matthias Tabbaa; Charlotte Smanik; Phillip and Eddie Petraitis; Erica, Jimmy, Myla and Isabel Prada; Patrick, Daniel, Eleanor, Connor and Molly Long; and Colin, Grace and Harper Mauk.

Joe is survived by his brother-in-law, Paul V. Coleman (Columbus, OH) and sister-in-law Jeanne Panuncialman (Chicago, IL).

Funeral Mass Tuesday, January 17, St. Bernadette Church (2256 Clague Rd., Westlake) at 11 A.M.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.  Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of NORTH OLMSTED, 29150 LORAIN RD. AT STEARNS RD., MONDAY 4-7 P.M.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, 1375 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114 or Holy Family Hospice, 6707 State Rd., Parma, OH 44134.