Joseph Dougalas

Joseph Dougalas, 75, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away on Aug. 13, 2025, at his home.

Joseph lived a life marked by service, dedication and love for family and country.

Born Aug. 21, 1949, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Daniel and Irene Norakus Dougalas.

He was a 1967 graduate of G.A.R. Memorial High School, Wilkes-Barre.

Joe proudly served in the United States Air Force and later in the Air Force Reserves, where he dedicated 37 years to honorable service. He went on after retirement to serve in the Air Force Civilian Service for an additional three years. Throughout his career, Joe embodied the Air Force values of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all things. He retired at the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6) and remained deeply proud of his time in uniform. He continued service, working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, before retiring in 2014.

Joe was a member of Our Lady of Hope Parish, Wilkes-Barre, and formerly Holy Trinity Church, Wilkes-Barre. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post #558, Plains Twp., and various other veterans' organizations.

Joe enjoyed playing and watching football and baseball, gambling at the casinos, and sitting on the porch with his neighbors and friendly squirrels.

Surviving is his daughter, Victoria Mann, and her husband, Jim, of Lake Harmony; grandchildren, Emily Engler and Michael Mesaris, and his fiancé, Sarah Mihalka, of Pittston; a great-grandson, due in September; longtime companion, Joan Cease, of Shavertown; sister, Ann Marie Bednarski, of Wilkes-Barre; brother, Daniel Dougalas, and his wife, Joan, of Dunedin, Fla.; and nieces and nephews, Matthew Dougalas, and his wife, Julie, of White Haven, Mark Dougalas, of Dunedin, Fla., and Danielle Conyers, and her husband, Brent, of Chesterfield, Va.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, in Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend John S. Terry, pastor, will be celebrant. Military Honors provided by the Air Force will follow Mass and future interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. Family and friends may call from 9 a.m. until time of Mass Saturday morning.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in his honor to the VALOR Clinic Foundation who provides nationwide integrated medical care and shelter to veterans with limited or no access to care. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 315, Brodheadsville, PA 18322.

Condolences can be shared at www.JendrzejewskiFuneralHome.com.