Joseph A. Mecca

Our brother, Joseph A. Mecca, 51, passed on Thursday after being stricken ill in his home.

Joey was a graduate of Mid Valley High School. Following graduation, he attended Penn Tech College, where he received an Occupational Therapist Assistant degree. As a COTA, he found his true passion and calling. His patients didn't just receive treatment; they gained a friend, a confidante and a champion in their corner. His ability to connect with patients with the most challenging diagnoses was not just a skill but a gift - a rare quality that made him a beacon of hope in their healing journey. His selflessness was also evident in his profound respect for veterans, honoring their service with his unwavering support and understanding.

Joey's life was a melody played on the strings of compassion. His many strings – guitars, banjos, a mandolin, were not just instruments but an extension of his soul, through which he shared the universal language of music. A culinary maestro in his own right, he had a zest for cooking that was only matched by his generosity in sharing his recipes, infusing love into every dish he created. A voracious reader, he found solace and adventure within the pages of his treasured escapes into the realms of imagination. Joey always had a story to tell, or a book or movie he would say "You have to read (watch) this, do you have a pen, write this down!" Joey was loved beyond words and will be greatly missed beyond measure.

Surviving are a brother, Frank A. Mecca; sisters, Dr. Susan F. Borys (husband, Dr. David), Jill McAlarney (husband, Scotty), Fran Evans (husband, Ron); MaryAnn Runco (cousin/sister); nieces and nephews, Jesse and Julia Borys, Taylir and Cody Evans; aunt, Christina Runco; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Gilda Mecca; and his sister, Elizabeth (Lisa) Mecca.

Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Frank T. Mazur Funeral Home Inc., 601 Dundaff St., Dickson City. Rite of Commendation will take place at the Cathedral Cemetery Chapel on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Anyone attending the committal service should go directly to the cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to New Structures, HJT Solutions, 67 Lakeview Timbers Drive, Gouldsboro, PA 18424. To leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.