Andrew Joseph "Joe" Sekera

EPWORTH, Ga. — Andrew "Joe" Joseph Sekera passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 2016.

Mr. Sekera was born in Wilkes-Barre on Nov. 24, 1941, to the late Joseph Sekera and the late Mary (Sordoni) Sekera.

Surviving him is his wife of almost 50 years, Nedra Owens Sekera, of Epworth, Georgia; son, William Andrew Sekera and his wife, Barbara, of Palm Bay, Florida; two sisters, Toni Rizzo and Roxanne Santey, of Trucksville; two grandsons, Edward Pitts, of Norfolk, New York, and Michael Pitts, of Palm Bay, Florida; a cousin, Andrew J. Sordoni III, of Harveys Lake; three dear brothers-in-law and their wives; and many dear nieces and nephews.

He was an alumni of Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and retired from the Brevard County Sheriff's Department in Florida as a lieutenant in 1989. Mr. Sekera's favorite sport was tennis and he played competitively in local leagues and the USTA. He had a great love of cars and both built and collected them. Mr. Sekera was an avid bowler and won both the Brevard All Events and the state of Florida All Events in 1966. The winnings helped to begin their married life. He served as chairman of the Brevard County Personnel Council, Florida, for several years before permanently moving to Epworth in 2005. He was happiest there in the mountains, made many good friends and enjoyed the small-town atmosphere.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Humane Society of Blue Ridge, P.O. Box 2126, Blue Ridge, GA, 30513; or to Friends of the Library, P.O. Box 1791, Blue Ridge, GA, 30513.

Arrangements entrusted to Finch-Cochran Funeral Home of McCaysville, Georgia. You may send condolences to the family or sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.