Joseph Kerzetski

Joseph Kerzetski, 59, of San Clemente, Calif., died Wednesday. He was the husband of the former Andrea Manzione Dorsey.

Born Aug. 27, 1956, in Scranton, he was the son of Michael and his wife, Linda, Las Vegas, Nevada, and the late Catherine (Ruane) Kerzetski.

Joe grew up in Dalton, and in his later years moved to Clarks Summit. He recently moved to San Clemente, Calif. He was a graduate of Lackawanna Trail High School. He was partner of JJ Bridjes Restaurant, Clarks Summit, where he also was a cook.

Joe K was diamonds. His genuine laugh made the room sparkle, and he loved to laugh. He loved to golf and to cook, and he loved his family. Joe had a passion for music. He would play a song, usually country, as loud as he could in his living room and let the emotion of the song fill his heart.

His favorite song to hear was anything that his daughter sang, she was his "peanut." Joe K ran a kitchen with strength and a kind heart, not an easy feat in the heat and chaos, but Joe had a way of being the calm in a storm. When times were tough, Joe K was the one to give a hug and say that everything was going to be O.K.

He taught his grandchildren that there was no such thing as perfect. He wanted them to be kind to themselves. He wanted them to know that it was O.K. to make mistakes and that no matter what they would still be loved. Papa Joe K was loved by all and especially by his "buddy" and wife, Andrea, who he loved to be next to. Joe K will be missed, but we know that he is forever our angel, shining like diamonds with the stars.

Also surviving is one daughter, Lori Kerzetski, San Diego, Calif.; a sister, Mary Yablonski and husband, Edward, Fort Myers, Fla.; two brothers, John Kerzetski and Michael Kerzetski and wife, Jenny, all of Clarks Summit; a stepson, Charles Dorsey and wife, Julie, Ithaca, N.Y.; three stepdaughters, Erin Konstantine and husband, Alex, Burbank, Calif.; Elizabeth Dorsey and fiancé, Michael Szymanski, Scranton; Jane Ross and husband, Nate, Nicholson; nephews, Jon Kerzetski and fiancée, Taryn Nichols, Philadelphia; Patrick Kerzetski, Boulder, Colo.; nieces, Brooke Yablonski, Naples, Fla.; Catherine Kerzetski, Boulder Colo.; nine grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Kerzetski.

A graveside service will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in Clarks Green Cemetery, with services by the Rev. John M. Lapera.

Arrangements are entrusted in the Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.

For directions or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.