Joseph Maura Sr.

Joseph J. Maura Sr.
Joseph J. Maura Sr., 78, of Bethlehem, entered into the presence of the Lord on Saturday, April 2, 2005, in St. Lukes Hospital, Fountain Hill. He and his wife, Isabel C. (Fuoco), celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on July 31. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Beneditto and Giovanina (Masi) Maura. He was a true servant to the men and women, both young and old, of the Bethlehem area. He excelled as District Justice for more than 36 years. Encouraged by his brother Fubs, he ran and won his first of two six-year terms as alderman of the 12th Ward in 1956. In 1969, when the District Justice system was adopted, he was elected to a six-year term to serve the entire West Side of Bethlehem. He was re-elected to six-year terms in 1975, 1981 and 1987. He continued as senior judge status from 1993 to 2005. As a member of Lehigh Valley Minor Judiciary, he served as a member of various committees and was president in 1965 and 1966. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Magistrates Association, serving on the Board of Directors, served as chairman of the annual conference committee in 1971 and 1972, and was president in 1972 and 1973. In 1973, he helped to disband the Pennsylvania Magistrates Association and Pennsylvania District Justice Association and formed a new association called Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania, serving as president in 1975 and 1976. In 2000, he was awarded the Themis Award by S.C.J.A.P. for his outstanding accomplishments with the association. In addition to his family, his second love was his involvement with the Bethlehem Boys Club, where he had continuous affiliation from 1938 to the current day. He was instrumental in forming the Boys Club Junior Fraternity and served as president. He then became a member of the Senior Fraternity, which later became the Fraternal Alumni Association, and served in every major leadership and chair position of the organization. He was general chairman of the 13th, and toastmaster of the 19th, Banquet of Champions. He served as president of the Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club Alumni Association and in 1979 helped found the Boys Club of America National Alumni Association and was elected to serve as its first president. His dedication and service to the Bethlehem Boys Club continued for many years as a member of the board of directors and as its secretary. He was recognized with many local and national Boys and Girls Club of America awards and in 1985 received the prestigious Edwin F. VanBilliard Award. He was a technical assistant in the Fabricated Steel Construction Sales Department of Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 24 years before retiring in 1970. He and his wife were members of Calvary Baptist Church, Bethlehem. Survivors: Wife; sons, Joseph J. Jr. of Hellertown, Wayne of Bethlehem; sisters, Louise Shaton of Bethlehem, Mary Szaller of Hellertown; grandchildren, Lisa, Ann, David, Russell; seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Orlando and Lawrence, and his sister, Nicholine Yohe. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, Calvary Baptist Church, 111 Dewberry Ave., Bethlehem. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, and 10-10:45 a.m. Wednesday in the church. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund.