Joseph W. Verscharen

Joseph William Verscharen, 67, of Kitty Hawk, N.C., formerly of Pittsburgh, died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born August 30, 1940, to the late Joseph T. Verscharen and Rose M. Dieterle Verscharen-Murray and raised in the Pittsburgh area, attended St. Basil Elementary School and graduated from Carrick High School in 1958. He was an original member of the Skyliners, who recorded such hits as "Since I Don't Have You,""This I Swear" and "Pennies From Heaven" and received a gold record for recording and writing "Since I Don't Have You." Joe was a lifetime member of ASCAP, and the group was elected into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002 and featured on Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" and performed in many venues including Madison Square Garden and the Apollo Theater, New York City. Joe was employed by the Prudential Insurance Co. for many years before retiring and relocating to Kitty Hawk, where he owned and operated a family motel, Beach Haven, until his recent illness. For the last few months, he resided in Atlanta, close to his immediate family. Beloved husband of Janet (Joswiak) Verscharen, of Kennesaw, Ga. 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, Jacquelyn and Victoria Verscharen, Benjamin and Leah Carey and David Christman. Brother of William A. (Barbara) Verscharen, of Eighty Four, and Rosemarie (John) Chrobak, of Beallsville. Also survived by five nephews and nieces; five great-nephews and -nieces; cousins; paternal aunt Rose Drexler, of Whitehall, and many special friends. Relatives and friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at BORON FUNERAL HOME INC., 1719 Brownsville Road, Carrick. Funeral Mass will be at noon Saturday in St. Basil Church, 1735 Brownsville Road, where Joe was baptized, served as an altar boy and married his high school sweetheart in May 1961. Everyone please meet at the church. Interment private. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society. www.BoronFuneralHome.com.