Joseph B. Penque

JOSEPH B. PENQUEJoseph B. Penque, 83, of Niagara Falls, NY went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday June 20, 2008 at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Born in Williamsville, NY, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Vincenzina (Fusco) Penque. Joseph served in the United States Army during World War II as a Technician Fifth Grade with the 571st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion from February 10, 1943 until his honorable discharge on October 12, 1944. In 1991, Joseph married Jean B. (Kephart) Hoopsick Penque at St. Joseph's Church in Niagara Falls, NY. His first wife, Emily L. (Fontanarosa) Penque predeceased him on March 4, 1990. In 1994, Joseph and his wife, Jean, moved to his favorite city, Las Vegas, NV where they lived until returning to Niagara Falls, NY in 2003. He had been employed as an electrician for over 40 years at Occidental Chemical, the former Hooker Chemical Co., in Niagara Falls, NY. Joseph was a longtime active member of the St. Johnsburg Volunteer Fire Company in Wheatfield, NY, where he was instrumental with his involvement in their Drum Corps. Joseph enjoyed spending time hunting, and fishing at his camp in the Southern Tier, as well as playing the harmonicaIn addition to his wife, Mr. Penque is survived by his children: Mary Lou (Ben) Cicciari of Las Vegas, NV, Richard (Rita) Penque, Joseph (Gina) Penque, Winnie Rice, Judith (George) Muldoon, Mary Kay Wilson, all of Niagara Falls, NY, Laurie (E.J.) Rice of Houston, TX, Melinda (Doug) Minteer, Melissa (Michael) Levering, Vicki (Tim) Russ, Joseph (Katona) Hoopsick, and Peter (Nicole) Hoopsick, all of Niagara Falls, NY and was predeceased by one son, John 'Butch' Hoopsick. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Sidney Penque of Missouri; sister, Philomena Magnano of Olean, NY; his special nephew, Daniel Penque, as well as several other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. Joseph was also predeceased by five brothers: Patsy Penque, Jerry Penque, Lorenzo Penque, Louis Penque, Angelo Penque and three sisters: Josephine Harris, Amelia Hore and Angeline D'Orazio.Friends may call on Monday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI and SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY where funeral services will begin on Tuesday June 24th at 11:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon in St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY. Interment with military honors will be held in White Chapel Memorial Park, Amherst, NY. Memorial offerings may be made to the Memorial and Honor Program, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 or St. Johnsburg Volunteer Fire Company 7165 Ward Road North Tonawanda, NY 14120.