Attorney Joseph V. Kasper

Prominent area attorney Joseph V. Kasper, 92, of the Heights section of the city, passed into eternal life early Sunday morning, Nov. 16, 2014, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital following a prolonged illness.

Born Jan. 17, 1922 in Wilkes-Barre Township, he was a son to the late Charles and Mary Balas Kasper. He graduated from GAR Memorial High School, Wilkes-Barre, and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton, where he was a member of the first graduating class staffed by the Jesuit priests.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the European Theater of Operations as a communication sergeant of a rifle company with the 66th Infantry Division and received a Certificate of Merit for performing his duties in an outstanding manner during combat operations.

After the war, he completed his education and graduated on an accelerated course of two years from the Dickinson School of Law where, upon graduation, he received membership in the Wollsack Society by virtue of outstanding academic achievement.

He began his general practice in 1950, initially in the office of former Attorney McGovern with attorneys Leon Rokosz, Roy Pope, Arthur A. McGuire, B. Todd McGuire, Frank McQuigan, Thomas Farrell, Joseph Farrell and Ralph J. Johnston Sr.

In 1951 he was appointed attorney advisor for the International Claims Commission, U.S. Department of State, and was stationed in Washington, D.C., for two years. Returning to Wilkes-Barre, he became an associate in the law office of Congressmen Daniel J. Flood and James Lehman Brown.

He subsequently formed an association with Thomas E. Mack, Esquire, and subsequent to the election of Attorney Mack as district attorney, he joined an association with attorneys Charles Coslett, Raymond J. Sobota, Herman Cardoni, John Gallagher, Gifford Cappellini Sr., Arthur Piccone, Bernard A. Podcasy and James Reinert. In 1984, he maintained his own practice in Wilkes-Barre and remained in active practice until shortly before his passing. During his practice years, he served as solicitor for 10 years for Wilkes-Barre City's Model City program, which eventually became the Office of Community Development. He also served as solicitor for the Dupont Borough School Board and, after the Board was consolidated with other areas, he served Dupont Borough Council for many years. He also served as solicitor for Ashley Borough, Conyngham Township and Harveys Lake after its incorporation, and was one of the lead attorneys in its incorporation. He also served as solicitor to the Luzerne County Board of Assessment and Revision for a number of years and, during Gov. Shaffer's administration, he was appointed as a special assistant attorney general for the state of Pennsylvania, Department of Justice.

His professional membership included the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association, where he was honored for 50 years of membership in the association in the year 2000, and he was also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Society, and in 1987 received the Distinguished Service Award from the Arthritis Foundation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Attorney Kasper also served as past exalted ruler of Wilkes-Barre Lodge 109 Protective Order of Elks, president of the Tatra of Luzerne County, and was a life member of the North End Slovak Citizens Club.

Active in politics for many years, in 1972 he was appointed as the Luzerne County coordinator for the Richard Nixon campaign, and subsequently became chairman of the Wilkes-Barre Republican Committee and campaign manager for the late John V. Morris Sr., who was elected mayor along with several additional councilmen and who currently remains the last Republican mayor of the city of Wilkes-Barre. He was also elected as chairman of the Luzerne County Republican Committee.

Joseph was preceded in death by his brothers, Carl J. and John J., and a sister, Rosella Martell. His beloved wife, Eleanor Haslinsky Kasper, passed away Aug. 1, 2007, after 57 years of married life together.

He is survived by two sons, Vincent M., at home; and Joseph C.; grandson, Joseph C. Kasper II, and granddaughter, Farrah Kasper; sisters, Marie Duffy and Betsey Stemrich; several nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends.

Attorney Kasper enjoyed practicing as a litigator, his dedication to the law was ongoing and he was willing to give his time to the less fortunate, both professionally and otherwise. He was also mindful to give his utmost for his clients' benefit, whether a plaintiff or defendant. He officially retired on Aug. 31 of this year after 64 years of active practice.

Funeral services for Attorney Kasper will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Thursday from his neighbor and longtime friends at the Wilkes-Barre Heights location of John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 281 E. Northampton St., Wilkes-Barre, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 134 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. J. Duane Gavitt, pastor, will serve as the celebrant. Private interment with Rites of Committal will follow in the family lot of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, 1594 S. Main St., Hanover Township, where military honors will be accorded him.

Relatives and friends may join the Kasper family for visitation and remembrances from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of floral tributes, memorial contributions are requested in Attorney Kasper's memory to the Pro Life Center, 31 Hanover St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, or to a charity of the donor's choosing.

To send the Kasper family online words of comfort, support and friendship at this time, please visit our family's website, www.JohnVMorrisFuneralHomes.com.