Joseph Leo Kalinowski

1936 - 2024

Joseph Leo Kalinowski entered into his eternal rest on March 19, 2024, when the Lord called him home. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Romaine (Stanczyk) Kalinowski; daughter, Susan Kalinowski, Exeter; and daughter, Christine (Kalinowski) Iacavazzi (husband, Michael), Old Forge. He also has a grandson, Maximillian Iacavazzi, Old Forge.

Joe was born April 22, 1936, in Scranton, Pa., and lived the entirety of his life within blocks of Back Street and St. Ann's Basilica in West Scranton. He was the son of Leo Joseph Kalinowski and Josephine Wasko and grandson of Karl and Regina Wasko, who were founding members of SS. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, West Scranton. His brother, Charles (Max), a Vietnam veteran, passed in 2005. Joe's father, Leo, was 32 when he was killed in the wartime Congoleum-Nairn plant explosion in Kearny, N.J., on Aug. 19, 1943. The young family soon returned to Scranton. Joe's mother, Josephine, was one of the many children of Karl and Regina Wasko, all raised on Back Street, Scranton.

Joe was healthy his whole life until metastatic pancreatic cancer struck. We learned then of many other compromising conditions and he bravely fought them all. He even survived COVID-19 and recovered from falling into septic shock twice. He was so strong until the cancer won.

Joe started life having to work at a young age, from picking coal to multiple paper routes, to help support the family. He graduated from St. Ann's Monastery School in 1954 and then did two "hitches" (eight years) in the United States Marine Corps. He was a military prison guard and held the rank of corporal-E4. His tour of duty ended when on a trip home he met Romaine, fell in love and they started their life together. The couple wed Jan. 26, 1963, at St. Ann's Monastery Church. Over the course of his life, he worked for Heilig, DG Nicolas, Poloron, and he finally retired from Procter & Gamble, Mehoopany, having worked the production lines for over 25 years. He retired at age 57 and then managed to relax and travel a bit. Joe and "Ro" traveled to the Bahamas, Alaska and took several trips to Las Vegas. They loved playing the penny slots and were regulars at local casinos, especially Atlantic City and Mount Airy (Poconos). Joe loved watching his wife at the casinos because she was always the lucky one.

Joe loved many things. He loved orange-pineapple ice cream (Burschel's from his youth and later, Blue Ribbon), veal parmigiana, pizza, homemade golumpki (piggies) and of course spaghetti and meatballs. He hated leftovers. He loved cheering on Penn State football, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Phillies, and all local high school football teams, especially the West Scranton Invaders. He liked talking sports and he dearly loved cars. From his large-chromed Buicks back in the '50s to his Toyotas in later life, his joy was a freshly polished, sparkling car. He regretted that life deprived him of ever driving or owning a hybrid or electric vehicle. He hated messes, disorder and anyone being late or not calling him when they said they would. He never "yelled," he "just spoke really really loud" when upset. He could fix just about anything. He loved tradition and the holidays especially. If he had a birthday or Christmas gift that he was excited about, you would most certainly get it early because he could not wait to give it. We are sure his corner of heaven will be neat, have a shiny car, great home-cooked food and sports or news on TV as he waits for us. We tell you all this because all his best buddies, his brother Charles, Bob, Howard "Moe," and many co-workers and cohorts of his military career have gone before him. Sadly, his eulogy will be heard by very few. Such is the blessing and curse of a long life, well-lived.

Joseph Leo Kalinowski was a good son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and man. He was also a good Marine. Semper Fi Marine, Semper Fi. We will love him forever, speak his name and will miss him every day until we meet again. We know he will be waiting for us.

The family of Joe wants to thank the VA in Wilkes-Barre for its continual care and support, especially Dr. Moy, Dr. Firouzi, and the entire staff of the ER and Wound Care. We also want to thank Dr. Peters and his staff at NROC for their compassion during his cancer treatments. Thank you to Traditional Home Health for all of Joe's home health care. Special thanks go out to Dr. Colvin and the 24/7 care Joseph received from the staff of Hospice at the VA Community Living Center. They made his final days and transition less painful and for that we are forever grateful.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Basilica, 1233 St. Ann's St., Scranton, PA 18504, by the Rev. James Paisley. Joe will be laid to eternal rest at SS. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Cemetery, West Scranton, where his mother, brother and his maternal grandparents are buried. Military honors will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps and the Dickson City Veterans Honor Guard. A memorial service will be held Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 262 Railroad Ave., West Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Joseph's name for the veterans' charity of your choice. One of his favorites was "Paralyzed Veterans of America." He believed in taking care of those who needed help even when he himself needed care.