Joseph F. Wapinsky

Joseph F. Wapinsky, 92, of Pottsville, passed away peacefully in the comfort of family and friends Wednesday afternoon at his residence in Providence Place, Pottsville, where he lived since February 2015. He was always sharing his adventures with residents and staff who all grew to love his charming personality and found him to be an interesting man with a real passion for life.

Born in Saint Clair, Nov. 29, 1925, he was a son of the late Clayton and Mary Gustitus Wapinsky.

Joe was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.

He was a graduate of Saint Clair High School and a three-sport varsity player and was considered to be one of Saint Clair's most gifted athletes. Joe had a dream of playing pro baseball after graduation, but instead he chose to enlist in the Navy to fight in World War II. After his military service, Joe played football for the Pottsville Maroons in 1946. He was finally fortunate enough to achieve his dream of playing professional baseball and played for two years with Oil City, PA Mid Atlantic League. He was pursued and bought by Buffalo, but decided collegiate baseball would be a better choice and chose to play for George Washington College, where he also received a business degree.

Joe also loved bowling and became well-known for his ability at it, often scoring numerous perfect games. These competitions took him to many states over the years. Not being content with that in his later years, he also fell in love with the game of golf.

For many years, he was the owner/operator at Wapinsky Brothers Gulf and Texaco station in Pottsville until his retirement in 1985, when his son, Dan, took over the family business.

Joe had a real passion to share his athletic abilities and coached football at Nativity BVM, Pottsville, for several years. He was also known to show up at Railway Park and other fields just to play with the kids and share his skills.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Julia, on Nov. 30, 2008, to whom he was married for 56 years; son, Joseph, on June 7, 2013; brother, Clem.

Joseph is survived by a son, Daniel A., husband of Lisa Suender Wapinsky, Helfenstein; brother, Robert "Bob" Wapinsky, Florida; stepgrandchildren, Matthew and Justin Bush; step-great-grandchildren, Rylie and Colin; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Monsignor Edward J. O'Connor officiating. A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. until the time of service in the church. Interment will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. The procession to IGNC will leave Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville. at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The family requests contributions in Joe's memory be sent to: Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania, 2595 Interstate Dr., Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com.

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