Joseph M. Hoch

Joseph Hoch Obituary

Joseph M. Hoch
Joseph M. Hoch, 93, of Fountain Hill, died Friday, February 20, 2009 in the V.N.A. Hospice House. He was the husband of Marie T. (Fink) Hoch with whom he was married for 62 years. He was a Prudential Insurance Company of America agent and was the head golf professional at Allentown Municipal Golf Course, from 1962-1976. Born In Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Michael and Theresa (Reinforth) Hoch. He was a member of the University Parish of Holy Ghost, Bethlehem. He was a member of St. Bernards Home of Good Samaritans, Bethlehem and a member of the Bethlehem Boys Club Fraternity. He was a life member of the Philadelphia Section - Professional Golfers Association of America, P.G.A. He started his long golf career as a caddy at Saucon Valley Country Club, where he was a three-time caddy champion. He was a 4-time club champion at Green Pond Country Club and was a 3-time winner of the Lehigh Valley Amateur Championship, 1939, 1946 and 1950. He participated in the 1953 U.S. Open Championship. He was a winner of the Philadelphia Section P.G.A. Senior Pro - Junior Pro Team Championship in 1972. He was a 2-time winner of the Schuylkill Country Club Invitational Best Ball Championship, 1952 and 1954. Joe was a winner of the Allentown City Golf Championship in 1953. He was a 2-time contestant in the P.G.A. Reading Open Championship 1950, 1951 and a 2-time contestant in the P.G.A. Philadelphia Inquirer Open Tournament. Joe was an inaugural inductee into the Lehigh Valley Golf Hall of Fame in 2004. Survivors: His wife, Marie; son, Joseph M. Hoch Jr. and his wife, Marie and son, Michael; son, John E. Hoch and his sons, John and Kyle; daughters, Jean and her husband, Ronald Roberts, Judith and her husband, Albert Spott and daughters Stefanie and Alyssa, Janet Hoch and her daughter, Teresa Henstridge and Janets fiance, James E. Dunn Jr., Joanne and her husband, Timothy Burger and children, Julie and Andrew. He was predeceased by brothers, Michael, John and Francis, and sisters, Margaret Hoch, Elizabeth Miller and Anna Higgins. Services: Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m. Tuesday in University Parish of Holy Ghost Church, 417 Carlton Avenue, Bethlehem. A viewing will be held from 8-10:15 a.m. in Downing Funeral Home Inc., 1002 W. Broad St., Bethlehem. Burial in Holy Ghost Cemetery, Bethlehem. Online condolences at: www.downingfuneralhome.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may me made in Josephs name to the church.

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Published by Morning Call on Feb. 22, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Hoch

14 Entries

Diane Beil

February 25, 2009

Mrs. Hoch & Family,
I am saddened to hear of Mr. Hoch's passing. He was a wonderful man who will always be remembered for his kindness to others. I have fond memories of my childhood years growing up as neighbors on Cherokee Street. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Diane(formerly Yost) & Richard Beil

Christopher Stoudt

February 25, 2009

Mr. Hoch was a role model to me. He has inspired my career with his great ability to teach golf. My thoughts and prayers are with the family..

Nina & Frank Jandrisovits

February 25, 2009

Dear Aunt Mary and Family,

We are so sorry for your loss and all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

With our Sincerest Sympathies.

Love, Nina and Frank

Thieme family

February 24, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Nancy Coulter

February 24, 2009

Dear Janet and Family, So sorry to hear about your Dad's passing. Reading all about his great golf adventures makes me want to start golf myself. Prayers and much Blessings~ Nancy Horvath Coulter

Jeff Linde

February 23, 2009

Dear Mrs. Hoch,
I will never forget Joe or the golf lessons he gave to me.
God bless you.

~Jim & Debbie Booros

February 23, 2009

Dear Marie,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in your time of grief. Joe always encouraged me to chase my dream. I'll always remember his cap and the years he was my PGA Pro at A-town Muni.

Mary Beth Miller-Kelly

February 23, 2009

Dear Aunt Marie and Family,
My heart goes out to you today with great sadness. Uncle Joe was very special to us all. He taught my friend how to golf and she thought he was wonderful as did I. May God Bless. With Sincere Sympathy

carl marder

February 22, 2009

Joe would never forget anything. He got me my first custom made clubs and many years later he asked me if I still had them, he was such a friendly man and this world will be a little sadder without him.

Dave Linde

February 22, 2009

Dearest Marie and family,
We will miss Joe but are blessed with wonderful memories of him. His warm smile, love for his wife and family and his love for the game of golf. He taught our children the skills of the game but most important the rules and love of the game. We hold dear the years we had with him at Wedgewood Golf Course. We will remember his Ben Hogan cap, his well known teaching stance and how he loved encouraging young people in the game. We will miss the joy of being in his presence but he lives on in our hearts. We celebrate his life with you.
Love,
Elise and Dave Linde

Scott and Lois Higgins

February 22, 2009

Aunt Marie and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our sincere sympathies.

Maurine

February 22, 2009

Aunt Marie and family, I will miss his happy smile and encouraging word... please know you are in my prayers. Love, Maurine

February 22, 2009

Uncle Joe:
I will surely miss you. I always loved visiting you and Aunt Marie.
Love, Peg

DALE SMITH

February 22, 2009

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

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