Joseph S. Scala Sr.

Formerly of Mifflinville, Pa.

and Newburgh, N.Y.

Joseph S. Scala, Sr., age 63, of 1615 Steeple Court, Trinity Fla., died at 1 a.m. Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at the Largo Medical Center, Largo, Fla., where he was a patient for three weeks.

Born on March 21, 1943 in Mahoning Twp., Montour County, Pa., he was a son of the late Sebastian J. and Elmira (Fantuzzi) Scala. A resident of Florida for five years, he previously lived in Mifflinville, Pa. and Newburgh.

He was a 1961 graduate of Berwick High School, Berwick, Pa. where he was a president of his class and played on the football team. He received a B.S. degree from Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.

He was a retired accountant and business consultant.

He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, New Port Richey, Fla.

Active in Boy Scouts, he earned the Eagle award, served as a den leader for Pack 37, Pine Bush, and also was active with the Boy Scout Council in Newburgh. He was a past president of the Eastern Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Newburgh. In Florida, he was a volunteer for the varsity football team at Clearwater Central Catholic High School, Clearwater, Fla.

Joe served with the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. William Woods during the Bay of Pigs crisis, earning several combat medals.

Surviving are his wife, the former Debra J. Tallarico, with whom he would have celebrated a 23rd wedding anniversary on December 3, 2006; five children, Lynn Marie, wife of Kevin Wurster of Newburgh, Kristen Ann, wife of J. Jefferson Smith of Durham, N.C., Joseph S. Scala, Jr. at home, Deanna, wife of Jeffrey McKinnon of Bloomsburg, Pa.; Douglas P. Drennen and his wife, Tanya of Lewisburg, Pa; five grandchildren; and two brothers, Rev. Thomas A. Scala, Milton and Daniel P. Scala and his wife, Nina of Newburgh.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 11 a.m. in St. Columba Catholic Church, 342 Iron St., Bloomsburg, Pa., by his brother, Rev. Thomas A. Scala. Entombment will be on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 12 p.m. in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh.

Friends may call on Sunday, November 26, 2006 from 6-9 p.m. at the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, Pa. Christian Wake services at 8 p.m.

Arrangements by Dean W. Kriner Funeral Home.