Joseph Kubacki

1920 - 02

Joseph Kubacki, 89, of Beechview, formerly of Knoxville, born and raised in Poland, passed away Monday, Aug. 10, 2009, under the care of his family. A man of quiet dignity, strength and courage who loved his family, friends and his God, Joseph was born Feb. 2, 1920, in Dobieszyn, Poland, to Stanley and Antonina Kubacki. Following school, he trained and worked as a tailor in Poland. After World War II, Joseph eventually settled in the Pittsburgh area, where he met Julia Salvi, an Italian immigrant, in English and citizenship classes. They married a short time later and would have three children. Joe opened a tailor shop on Knox Avenue, which operated during 1950s through the '70s, and later worked at other men's clothing stores. As the children grew, family vacations consisted primarily of camping trips and frequent visits to the woods of the family property near Dempseytown. During these outings, Joe taught his children to be curious, to work hard and to enjoy nature. Years later, Joe became known simply as "Pappy" to his five grandchildren, and he enjoyed passing along those same life lessons to them. He loved his grandchildren and enjoyed being with them in whatever they did, whether watching them play sports or talking with them about life. Before passing, his message to family members was simple and poignant: Read the Bible. Pappy is survived in the U.S. by his wife of 58 years, Julia; sons, Joe and daughter-in-law, Sherry, of Marshall Township, and Ray, of Beechview; daughter, Maria and son-in-law, Tim Wesley, of Cranberry Township; grandsons, Garrett and Drew Kubacki, of Marshall Township; and granddaughters, Amanda, Megan and Hannah Wesley, of Cranberry Township. In his native Poland, he is survived by a brother, Bill; a sister, Sophie; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Anthony and Felix. Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, 2678 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, followed by a church service from 7 to 8 p.m. at the same location.