Joseph William Verscharen

I met Joe in 1963 as we both were trying to pick up some money selling Strollo-Chair baby equipment. Joe never acted like a big shot rock and roll singer and visited my home many times and met my wife. Joe was 3 months older than me and we shared many Pittsburgh favorites. After graduating in 1963 from Carnegie Tech, I got a job with Bethlehem Steel and moved away. We kind of like lost touch but I bumped into him at Versharen's fruit market a couple of times. Didn't find out about his passing until recently after I watched the Skyliners on a PBS show. Joe probably found out where all those "pennies from Heaven" came from!

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Dear Janet and Family,

I was so sorry to hear about Joe. I am even more unhappy that I cannot come and pay my respects in person. I fell down my porch steps and have wrecked up my right leg for awhile.

Please know that I will keep you and your family, as well as Joe, in my prayers. Please let me know where you are living and we can at least exchange family news. I am at 119 E 18th Ave, Homestead, PA 15120. I also can be reached on-line at:[email protected].

Take care and lots of Love,
Bill Crawford

Aunt Audrey (Mueller) also sends her condolences. She can't drive at night anymore. She relies on me to take her around so she is just as upset about not visiting with you.

Dear Janet and Family, I worked with Joe at Prudential in the Pleasant Hills Office and in Castle Shannon until he retired. He invited us "girls in the office" many times when he was performing at the Holiday House and would take us back stage...He had such a great personality and always had us laughing My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Beth and family,
So sorry to hear about your Dad. We will miss him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

The Skyliners were a great inspiration for those of us Pittsburghers who loved Rock and Roll. They proved that someone from our town could make it nationally. When The Skyliners received their ASCAP award for "Since I Don't Have You" I attended as Joe's guest. I was honored when the group asked me to write the CD booklet note for their 40th Anniversary collection. I will always remember Joe's great sense of humor, which he kept until the end.

My sympathy to Joe's family.I met Joe when he was with The Skyliners, and it was his great ability that helped the group become success it was.Joe will live on through the timeless music he helped create.Pittsburgh has lost a star from it's sky.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ver, as he was called by many, was a special friend to everyone, me included.
My sympathies to the Verscharen Family.
Sincerely,
John Krapp CHS Class of '60

To the entire Verscharen family,

I would like to extend sympathies on behalf of my family (Rex's) to everyone in your family. We are very sorry for your loss. In case you can't recall, we lived down the street from you in Bethel Park, PA. I remember Beth as being the "best babysitter"! Also, I would always tell people when I heard a song by the Skyliners, that "my old neighbor sang in that group" (as if somehow it made me feel important). I was recently thinking of your family, when my own Mother (Donna), passed away earlier this year (digging thru various file cabinets locating the life insurance policies Mr. V. sold my own parents). We know all too well what it is to experience the loss of a loved one and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Take Care and God Bless.

Sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I was a Carrick High School grad. "57"

ROSE;

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF THE PASSING OF YOUR SON JOSEPH. ALTHOUGH I DID NOT KNOW HIM VERY WELL, WE WERE VERY PROUD OF HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH THE SKYLINERS. JOE SENIOR SPOKE OF HIM SO OFTEN.

PLEASE ACCEPT MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY.

RALPH PAMPENA (Pittsburgh Police Ret)