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Joseph Willinsky Obituary
He was the former Minersville chief of police and Minersville High football coach.
Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Jerome and Grace (Leininger) Willinsky.
He was a veteran of the Navy Submarine Service.
Surviving in addition to his widow are four children, a stepson, a brother, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Willinsky
Bev, Dave & Wanchalk Family
December 31, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Willinsky children and families.
Tony Barton
December 23, 2011
My condolences to the entire Willinsky family. Joe taught me what it meant to have pride in my hometown and that battle cry we have all grown up to endear in our adult lives. My thoughts are with you all during this holiday season.
Kimberly Morgan
December 23, 2011
Dad n family...
I am sorry for ur loss... Prayers n thoughts r wit u guys...
Love yas Kim Kris n the girls
Mike Donovan
December 23, 2011
I served with Joseph "Big Ski" onboard the U.S.S. Sea Robin SS 407 and I'm proud to say he was my Shipmate.
Dot & Tom Lecher
December 23, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
December 23, 2011
To all the Willinsky family our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time. May you find peace and joy in all of your happy memories.
All our best,
Jim and Darlene Nevada
Richard MacCready
December 22, 2011
There are persons outside of your family that influence your life. You never know its impact at the time that it happens, but years later you understand and you wonder why they chose you. Simply for me, he was my Dad's best friend.
"Big Joe", not "Chief", or "Coach Willinsky" was the name that the MacCready kids gave him. He was the one that we ran to when we got into problems. I still remember when my older sister and I called him when we had a flat tire and was afraid to call our Dad. He was also the one that stopped me at the bottom of town when I got the family's car once a month on Friday night. He pull me out of the car to do an "inspection" just to let me know that he and my Dad were watching over me.
I never played football for him, as I left Minersville before he became "Coach". What I do remember is him taking the time to teach me how to wire electricity. I always thought of it as a neat thing, until I had to do it on 9/11 at a place in the middle of hell and that night I thanked him.
He was my second father, the one that you went to when you believed your father didn't understand you. He protected me when I needed it and let me foolishly believe that he would never tell my Dad what was done.
To Shirley, David, Scott, Mush (I haven't called Michelle anything but Mush since she was 12) and Mark, I'm sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing Big Joe with Sharon, Richard, Colleen and Nancy MacCready.
Mark Willinsky
December 21, 2011
On behalf of me and my family, i would like to thank everyone who responded to this guest book. My father will be sadly missed. May God bless and keep all of you.
John McGeary
December 20, 2011
My thought and prayers to the Willinsky family. I have fond memories of my days playing for Chief as a Battlin' Miner! You will always be remembered!
Phil Trasatt
December 20, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Willinsky family. Take comfort in fond memories as I will always remember Chief Joe.
December 19, 2011
Our thoughts are with you. From your extended family in Connecticut. My father is Joe's Cousin. I met him many years ago as the police chief when i was younger.
Michael, Jeanne and Brian Willinsky (son of william willinsky - cousin from girardville, PA)
[email protected]
Marilyn Rogers-Dorsey
December 19, 2011
Fran, our hearts and condolences go out to you and your family during your time of sorrow. Your love and memories will bring comfort. Our prayers are with you. With Deepest sympathy, Your Landex Family.
Betty & Katie Koperna
December 19, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Jason Alisauckas
December 19, 2011
My sympathy to the Willinsky family. You'll always be my favorite football coach! When i played at Temple, the coaches knew right away i was from the coal region, on top of that they knew who Chief Joe Willinsky was & what a great coach he was....
Dan Lipsett
December 19, 2011
God's speed Joe. See you in the big huddle in the sky.
My thoughts and prayers will be with your family and their loss.
December 19, 2011
I'm so glad I got the chance to meet Big Ski. It's clear from all I've heard from Dad's shipmates that Big Ski was a terrific shipmate. High praise, indeed. His death - during this season - really underlines the vital place our loved ones hold in our lives whether they be kith or kin - or shipmates. My condolences to Joe's family and to the Sea Robin family.
Tracey A. Johnstone
Carol Raczka
December 19, 2011
Dear Willinsky family, So very sorry for the loss of Joe.May the Lord help all of you through this very sad time in your lives. Hold those precious memories close in your hearts and Joe will live on forever and never be forgotten. When the healing process begins, be assured that God will help each and everyone of you. Take care and God Bless. Joseph, may you REST in PEACE. You are now with the Lord and your pain will be no more. Sincerely, Tommy and Carol Raczka.xo
GINNY DIRENZO
December 18, 2011
to the intire WILLINSKY family i was shocked to have read that joe has passed away now he and my husband john are serveing on the reunion committee in heaven joe was a very nice class mate to my husband john his kindness shown to me when john passed on will remain in my heart im sure the willinsky family have fond memories and may that be of some comfort to you all take care .
George T. Stoddard
December 18, 2011
To the Willinsky family;
Whether you knew him as Coach, Chief or Mr. Willinsky, you'll never forget this one of a kind man. I'm very sorry for your loss.
steve curran
December 18, 2011
Thinking of all of you at this difficult time and recollecting many fond memories from the 1982 season.....
December 18, 2011
MY SYMPATHYS TO JOES FAMILY. I AM A DISTANT COUSIN OF HIS. PLEASE EMAIL ME WHEN YOU CAN.MY NAME IS BILL WILLINSKY JOES DAD AND MY DAD, ALBERT WILLINSKY WERE COUSINS
Ron & Peggy Plumlee
December 18, 2011
When one door closes another one opens, I trust he is now in God's great army and will be retuning with our Lord, and Savior ,Jesus Christ.
He will be missed, indeed, an honor to have known and served with him.
I pray that God is comforting and strengthening his family.
December 17, 2011
Michelle,my SYMPATHY to you and your FAMILY,Sincerely Betsy Leganza and Family,Orwigsburg, Pa
Terry & Carolyn Klausen
December 17, 2011
God broke the mold after he made this great Shipmate and friend. I am honored to be able to have served with him on the Sea Robin, and having seen him again 40+ years later, like we were together yesterday. He will be missed but never forgotten. My condolences to Fran and the Family.
"Sailor Rest Your Oar"
Ron "Buttons" Budin
December 17, 2011
I had the pleasure and good fortune to serve with Ski during my time on the Sea Robin. He was a rare individual and loved by all who knew him. I was fortunate to be able to enjoy his company at recent reunions and will greatly miss him.
Paul Roggemann
December 17, 2011
The USS Sea Robin SS-407 Association and Shipmates of our beloved "BIG SKI" are saddened to hear of his passing and wish to extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
Joe will be fondly remembered by all who served with him.
Sailor, rest your oar.
Bob and Lil Freiler
December 17, 2011
We are so sorry for your loss.
Mickey Courtney
December 17, 2011
God bless Joe's family in this time he was a good friend.and will be missed by all who knew him well.
Ron & Sue Gontarchick
December 17, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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