Joseph J. Falzone

May 24, 2010

Joseph J. Falzone, 89, a resident of Wyoming Borough and formerly of Pittston, died Monday, May 24, 2010, in Wesley Village, Jenkins Township, where he had been a guest for the past several months. Mr. Falzone was born in Pittston, a son of the late Biagio and Angela Lombardo Falzone, and attended Pittston High School. He had worked for Leader Tire Co., Pittston; Butera Trucking Co., Pittston; at No. 11 Slope, where he had done mining maintenance for several years; and at American Car and Foundry Co., Berwick, where he had been a welder. Mr. Falzone joined the U.S. Army during World War II, serving as a technical sergeant with Headquarters Co., 2nd Battalion, 318th Infantry, 80th Division. He received the European African Middle Eastern Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, three Purple Heart Medals with two Bronze OLC for injuries received in combat in France, the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Distinguished Unit Citation. He saw service as an anti-tank gun crewman in the Battle of the Bulge and in northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and in Central Europe. After the war, he returned to his job at American Car and Foundry, later working at Valley Service Station, Pittston. He owned and operated Falzone's Exxon Service Station, Exeter, for 39 years and retired in 1985. Mr. Falzone was a devoted member of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Wilkes-Barre, and the former St. James Episcopal Church, Pittston. He had served as a Vestryman at both churches and was also a member of the Holy Cross Society of the parish, affiliated with the Sacred Heart of Mary Church, North Collins, N.Y., for many years. He was a 50-year-plus member of St. John's Lodge No. 233, F.&A.M., Jenkins Township; Keystone Consistory, A.A.S.R., Scranton; and of the Irem Shrine Center, A.A.O.N.M.S., Dallas. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of Amvets. Mr. Falzone was preceded in death by a brother, Frank M. Falzone. Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Nancy T. Simoncini Falzone, at home; a sister, Mrs. Pauline Simoncini, Jenkins Township; brothers, Thomas M. Falzone, West Wyoming, Salvatore P. (Sam) Falzone, Louis J. Falzone, both of Wilkes-Barre, and John S. Falzone, Swoyersville; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday with Burial Office and Requiem Mass at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 375 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with the Rev. Daniel G. Jones, rector, and the Rev. John Leo, associate rector, celebrating. Interment will be in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church on Thursday. There will be no public viewing. Funeral arrangements are by the H. Merritt Hughes Funeral Home, Inc., 211 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston. The family requests that flowers be omitted and that memorial donations be made to the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 375 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18702.