Joseph J. Falzone

Joseph J. Falzone, 89, a resident of Wyoming Borough, formerly of Pittston, died Monday, May 24, 2010, at Wesley Village, Jenkins Township, where he had been a guest for the past several months.

Mr. Falzone was born in Pittston, son of the late Biagio and Angela Lombardo Falzone, and attended Pittston High School.

He worked for Leader Tire Co., Pittston; Butera Trucking Co., Pittston; at No. 11 Slope, where he had done mining maintenance for several years; and at American Car and Foundry Co., Berwick, where he had been a welder.

He joined the Army during World War II, serving as a technical sergeant with Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, 318th Infantry, 80th Division. He received the European African Middle Eastern Medal; the Good Conduct Medal; three Purple Heart Medals with two Bronze oak leaf clusters for injuries received in combat in France; the Bronze Star; the Combat Infantryman Badge; and the Distinguished Unit Citation. He saw service as an anti-tank gun crewman in the Battle of the Bulge and in northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland and in Central Europe.

After the war, he returned to his job at American Car and Foundry, later working at Valley Service Station, Pittston. He owned and operated Falzone's Exxon Service Station, Exeter, for 39 years and retired in 1995.

Mr. Falzone was a devoted member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Wilkes-Barre, and of the former St. James Episcopal Church, Pittston. He had served as a vestryman at both churches and was also a member of the Holy Cross Society of the parish, affiliated with Sacred Heart of Mary Church, North Collins, N.Y., for many years.

He was a 50-year plus member of St. John's Lodge 233, F&AM, Jenkins Township; Keystone Consistory, AASR, Scranton, and of the Irem Shrine Center, AAONMS, Dallas. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the AMVETS.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Frank M. Falzone.

Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Nancy T. Simoncini Falzone, at home; a sister, Pauline Simoncini, Jenkins Township; brothers, Thomas M. Falzone, West Wyoming; Salvatore P. (Sam) Falzone and Louis J. Falzone, both of Wilkes-Barre; and John S. Falzone, Swoyersville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. with Burial Office and Requiem Mass at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 375 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. Daniel G. Jones, rector, and the Rev. John Leo, associate rector, will officiate. Interment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church Thursday. There will be no public viewing.

The family requests that flowers be omitted and that memorial donations be made to Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 375 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

Arrangements are by H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 211 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston.