Joseph P. Talarico

Joseph P. Talarico 89, of South Scranton, died Wednesday evening following a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, the former MaryLou Dixon.

Born in Scranton, son of the late James and Helen Olchefsky Talarico, he attended West Scranton High School. He served in the National Guard in Scranton at 14 years old. He enlisted in the Army at 17 years old and was a paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division in the Korean Conflict. He was employed at Moses Taylor Hospital until his retirement. He was a member of the VFW Post #25 in Scranton.

Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed having his family over for Sunday pasta dinners. He was an avid Penn State Football fan and New York Giants fan. He will be sadly missed by those who knew him.

Surviving are his six children, Dennis Talarico, Scranton; Doreen McTiernan and husband, Gene, Queensbury, N.Y.; Maria Kunda and John Paszek, Leland, N.C.; Joanne Osborne, Scranton; Ellen Judge and her husband, Robert, Scranton; and Marilou Talarico and Ed Rafalko, Scranton, who were also Joe's caregivers; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Francis, Michael, John and Paul Talarico; sisters, Helen Thomas and Mary Phipps; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Anthony, Dennis, James, Vincent and Thomas.

The funeral will be Monday at 9 a.m. from the Nicholas Chomko Funeral Home, 1132 Prospect Ave., South Scranton, with a 10 a.m. blessing service at the Cathedral Cemetery Chapel, Oram Street. Friends may call Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org.