Joseph A. Hardisky Sr.

TUNKHANNOCK — Joseph A. Hardisky Sr., 90, of Tunkhannock, died peacefully surrounded by his wife and family on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital. Surviving is his wife, Anna Kiszka Hardisky. They recently celebrated 65 years of wonderful marriage.

He was born March 18, 1927, the son of Andrew and Mary Yurchak Hardisky of Luzerne. As an Army Veteran of World War II, Joe served as a sergeant in Germany and received several service medals. He worked for 35 years as a millwright at both Bendix in South Montrose and retired from Procter & Gamble in Mehoopany. He was a member of the Church of the Nativity BVM in Tunkhannock, the American Legion, the Tunkhannock Ambulance Assoc. and enjoyed volunteering at the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair.

Joe was a true family man, who loved family gatherings, especially the annual summer pig roast and reunion at Lords Pond. A craftsman of wood and metal, he was known locally for designing a modern wood-fired smokehouse. Joe generously shared not only the building plans, but also smokehouse products, including delicious smoked venison jerky, chicken and kielbasa. Joe was an avid hunter, fisherman, trapper, beekeeper and gardener. These treasures and talents, he passed on to his family. Tradition and love of family was everything!

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, was his brother, Albert Hardisky.

Surviving are children, Dr. Michael A. Hardisky, wife Dr. Debra A. Pellegrino, of Moscow; Dr. Jo-Ann M. Hardisky O'Rourke, husband, Dr. David B. O'Rourke, of Wyomissing; Joseph A. Hardisky, Jr., wife, Lynn Ann Romanczuk Hardisky, of Shavertown; Thomas S. Hardisky, wife, Laurie L. Hardisky, of Loganton; sister, Eleanor Samanas, of Dallas; sister-in-law Marlene Clarke Hardisky, of Centermoreland.

Grandchildren, Michael P. Hardisky, wife, Jennifer, of Telford; Dr. Andrew J. Hardisky, of Blakeslee; Dr. Dana A. Hardisky, of Nicholson; Dr. Denise M. Hardisky, of Horseheads, N.Y.; Andrew D. O'Rourke, of Santa Clara, Calif.; Dr. Kathryn A. O'Rourke, of Lancaster; Colleen M. O'Rourke, of Philadelphia; Lauren E. Hardisky, of Denver, Colo. Great-grandson, Michael D. Hardisky, of Telford.

Step-grandchildren, Gregory D. Smith, of Midland, Texas; Bethany M. Smith, of Dallas, Texas; Mary Catherine P. Mettelman, of Chicago, Ill., Justine Shady, of Loganton; Mikaela Heggenstaller, of Dublin, Texas. Step great-grandchildren Geneva and Cecily Smith, of Midland, Texas; Joshua and Rylee Shady, Loganton.

Joe is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Church of Nativity BVM in Tunkhannock. Prior to interment, full military honors will be extended at the church. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Carverton. A viewing will be held on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, 73 West Tioga St., Tunkhannock.

The family will provide the flowers and suggest all contributions be made in Joseph's name to Church of Nativity BVM in Tunkhannock. For directions or on-line condolences, please visit www.sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com.