JOSEPH YAKOSKI JR.

Joseph Yakoski Jr., 75, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

He was born May 6, 1948 in Wilkes-Barre.

Joe's family moved to Springville when he was 2. Growing up in Springville, Joe became an Altar Boy with Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in town. He helped serve the mass for 10 years. At age 10, Joe started helping his Dad in his garage, Joe's Garage after school. He was pumping gas and changing tires at that age.

As time progressed, Joe learned valuable automotive repair skills from his father at the garage. Also during this time, Joe started learning about electricity, performing some electrical work on cars and in the garage. Joe was also a radio hobbyist, listening to powerful AM radio stations around the country along with shortwave listening from foreign countries.

Joe graduated from Elk Lake High School in 1966 after taking the Industrial Arts course of study. A few months after graduating, Joe joined the U.S. Navy traveling to the Great Lakes Naval training station. After completing boot camp, Joe was assigned to the Naval Air Facility at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington DC.

After two months in the barracks division, Joe was able to transfer to the battery locker, handling aircraft batteries. This led to an assignment in the AE shop. Joe then became an aircraft electrician. While stationed at Andrews, Joe found a part time job with Tommy's Auto Clinic. Joe's prior automotive experience allowed him to work many part time and Saturday hours. After only 2 months, Joe was given a key to the shop. Joe bought and sold a few cars after repairing them in the shop.

After this 2-year assignment, Joe was transferred to Attack Squadron 85 (VA-85) at NAS Oceania Va. Joe was trained on the A-6 Intruder aircraft before his squadron was ordered aboard the carrier USS Constellation CVA-64 home ported in San Diego, Calif. Thus began an 11-month deployment to the South China Sea with squadron operations over Vietnam. During this time, Joe earned a Navy Commendation Medal for his work as the AE shop supervisor.

Upon returning to the United States, the squadron was de-commissioned a short time later allowing Joe back as a civilian. Joe's interest was great in aircraft so he attended school at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in West Mifflin. This school led to an Airframe and Power plant license. Joe and his family returned to NEPA but needing to support a new family, Joe was hired at Procter and Gamble. With Joe's Navy experience, he became a boiler operator in the P&G Boilerhouse. Joe had his eyes out for a spot in the Electrical & Instrument crew (E&I). After two years, Joe transferred to the E&I department, working plant-wide in the electrical construction crew. Joe learned how to bend and run conduit, pull wires and perform terminations on many new projects.

After four years experience in the construction crew, an opening for an E&I technician back in the Boilerhouse came about. It was a perfect fit for Joe. He then worked in the Utilities department for an additional 21 years. Over time, Joe became a Controls Engineer in the Water Treatment and Evaporator plants. Also during this time, Joe joined the US Navy Reserves. Joe returned as an AE 2nd class in Patrol Squadron 64 (VP-64) stationed at NAS Willow Grove. Joe worked on the P-3 Orion sub hunter aircraft.

Reserve duty took him to the Azores, Spain and Bermuda for annual training. Joe met the "Love of His Life" in 1979. He married Diane Rogers and together, they raised five children. Their children are: John and Angela Yakoski of Hanover Township, Michelle and RJ Hanstine from Virgina, Monica and Daniel Kenia of Falls, Michael and Jeannie Rogers of Springville, and Jennifer and Eric Laux of Omaha, Nebr.

Joe was an Amateur Radio operator for many years with the FCC call sign of N3JNX. Joe made many world-wide contacts attaining many awards. Joe loved operating in many Ham Radio contests. He has made over 13,000 contacts in his log world-wide.

Joe was a member of the BVM Catholic church in Tunkhannock.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Nativity BVM Church at 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 19. Interment will be at the Sunnyside Cemetery, Tunkhannock with military honors.

For online condolences or directions visit www.aplitwinfuneralhomes.com