Joseph P. Brethel Jr.

Joseph P. Brethel Jr., died peacefully at home on Thursday, September 21, 2006, at the age of 82. He was born to Joseph and Mary Brethel in Allentown, Pa.

He served his country in the U.S. Army with the 25th infantry Division, Tropic Lightning, during World War II. Joseph married Catherine Hanley on November 22, 1947 and raised their family in Hempstead, N.Y. where he was active in Boy Scouts of America, Little League Baseball, and Our Lady of Loretto parish. He worked for the New York Telephone Company for 37 years and retired as an Outside Plant Engineer in 1985, then moved to Milford, Pa. where he has been and active parishioner of St. Vincent DePaul Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Mountain Council #9832, and the #2605 Bishop McCormick Assembly. He did volunteer work for the American Red Cross Blood Bank.

Joseph is survived by his beloved wife, Catherine of Milford, Pa.; his six loving children, Joseph Brethel and his wife, Francine of Floral Park, N.Y., Thomas Brethel and his wife, Suc of Great Neck, N.Y., Michael Brethel and his wife, Geraldine of Lynbrook, N.Y., Stephen Brethel and his wife, Patricia of LaCrosse, Wis., Dr. Maureen Brethel of Milford, Pa., Richard Brethel and his wife, Dolores of Lynbrook, N.Y.; his twelve grandchildren, Michael, Jacquelyn, Christopher, Katherine, Kimberly, Kyle, Gregory, Brendan, Samantha, Danielle, Brian and Kevin; and his faithful companion, Mulligan. Joseph is also survived by a sister, Alice Thorngren of Trinidad, Colo.; and a brother, David Brethel of Amityville, N.Y.

Friends may call at the Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 W. Harford St., Milford, Pa., on Sunday, September 24, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Vincent DePaul Church, 101 St. Vincent Dr., Dingmans Hills, Milford, Pa., on Monday, September 25, 2006, at 10 a.m. The Rev. Paul Mullen will officiate.

Burial will take place in Milford Cemetery, Dingman Township, Pa.

Memorials may be made to St. Vincent's Sharing Fund, 101 St. Vincent Dr., Milford, PA 18337 and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

Arrangements by Stroyan Funeral Home, Inc.