Joseph William Verscharen
Joseph William Verscharen
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Joseph Verscharen Obituary
Age 67, of Kitty Hawk, NC (formerly of Pittsburgh), passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Janet (Joswiak) Verscharen, of Kennesaw Ga. and beloved father of Beth Ann (Tom) Carey of Woodstock Ga., Mark Joseph (Linda) Verscharen of Dallas Ga., and Kurt Raymond Verscharen of Pittsburgh. Loved dearly by grandchildren, Donald Joseph and Jacquelyn Verscharen, Benjamin and Leah Carey, Victoria Verscharen, and David Christman. Brother of William A. (Barbara) Verscharen of Eighty Four, Pa. and Rosemarie (John) Chrobak of Beallsville Pa. Other survivors include 5 nephews and nieces, 5 great nephews and nieces, cousins, paternal Aunt Rose Verscharen Drexler of Whitehall Pa., and many special friends. Born August 30, 1940 to the late Joseph T. Verscharen and Rose M. Dieterle Verscharen- Murray. Joe was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and attended St. Basil Grade School and graduated from Carrick High School in 1958. Joe was an original member of the Pittsburgh Skyliners vocal group that recorded such hits as "Since I Don't Have You", "This I Swear", and "Pennies From Heaven", and received a gold record for the group's recording and writing of "Since I Don't Have You". Joe was a life time member of ASCAP and the group was elected into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002. The Skyliners were featured on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" show and performed in many venues including Madison Square Garden, and The Apollo Theater in New York City. Joseph was employed by Prudential Insurance Co. for many years before retiring and relocating to Kitty Hawk NC, where he owned and operated a family motel called Beach Haven, until his recent illness. For the last few months, he resided in Atlanta Ga., close to his immediate family. Relatives and friends will be received from 7-9 PM on Friday, Nov. 9, 2007 at BORON FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1719 Brownsville Road, Carrick. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday at 12:00 Noon in St. Basil Church, 1735 Brownsville Road. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET IN CHURCH. Joe was baptized, served as an altar boy, and was married there to his high school sweetheart, Janet Joswiak, in May of 1961. Interment Private. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude's Childrens Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society. www.BoronFuneralHome.com
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14 Entries
Larry Arendas
February 25, 2024
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!
Theresa Szpara
November 10, 2007
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Theresa (Adasiewicz) Szpara
November 9, 2007
My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
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Bill Crawford
November 9, 2007
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.
Dana Barry
November 9, 2007
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.
Jeff, Becky & Denise @ Dowdy & Osborne
November 9, 2007
Beth and family,
So sorry to hear about your Dad. We will miss him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Marlo and Gavin Rapp (Janet Vogel Rapp's children), Ed Salamon, Skyliner's manager Joe Rock and Joe Versharen at ASCAP awards 1992
Ed Salamon
November 8, 2007
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.
Mike Philbin
November 8, 2007
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.
Sandy Morton (prev.Rossi)
November 8, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
November 8, 2007
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
Missy Rex
November 8, 2007
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.
Carol Wallach Smerker
November 8, 2007
Sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I was a Carrick High School grad. "57"
RALPH PAMPENA
November 8, 2007
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)
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