Joseph D. “Joe” Gomola, 75, of Clarence, was surrounded by his loving family when he peacefully passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on August 13, 1947, in Philipsburg, he was the son of the late Joseph P. and Helen J. (Josephson) Gomola. On September 27, 1980, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Clarence, he married Paula J. Aikey who survives at home.
Joe was a 1965 graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on April 20, 1966 and received his honorable discharge on January 15, 1970. He served overseas for numerous years, earned the rank of BT3 and received the National Defense Service Medal for his service. He loved to tell his family and friends stories about seeing different parts of the world and all the different people he had the opportunity to meet.
Joe was a member of the Queen of Archangels Catholic Parish Church in Clarence and retired from the former JH France Refractory in Clarence in 2012 after 41 years of service.
Throughout his life, Joe took on many hobbies and responsibilities. One of his favorite things to do was to raise the trout for the Three Point Sportsman Club. He truly enjoyed managing the fish hatchery and working in other aspects of the club to benefit sportsmen.
He was a long-time member of the Clarence American Legion Post 813, Clarence Moose 1565, and many other organizations that focused on helping the Mountaintop community. Joe loved spending time at Wolf Run Stone Camp, where he was an active member for many years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. His values of hard work, loyalty, commitment, and love for his family will always be remembered by those that knew of him.
Joe had the wonderful gift of having a large family. He is survived by his wife; two sons: Joseph W. with his fiancé Sherri Faciszewski, of Altoona and William J. and his wife, Krista, of Kannapolis NC; three grandchildren Michaela, Mackenzie, and Madeline; and seven brothers and sisters June Hildreth (Larry) of St. James, FL, Frank Gomola (Terri) of Spruce Creek, Nancy Perkins (Reed) of Rome, PA, David Gomola (Debra) of Bellefonte , Linda Hackenberg (Dennis) of Julian, Donald Gomola (Bonnie) of Bellefonte, and Donna Spicer (Bill) of Runville.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death a sister, Gloria McCloskey and his father in-law and mother in-law, William & Pauline (Shoemaker) Aikey.
Friends and family will be received on Sunday, December 11, 2022, from 2 to 4 and 6-8pm at Daughenbaugh Funeral Home in Snow Shoe. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 12, 2022, at 11am, at the Queen of Archangels Catholic Parish Church in Clarence, with Father Michael Wolfe officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarence.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory, to the Three Point Sportsman Club, PO Box 2, Clarence, PA 16829.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 106 W. Sycamore St. Snow Shoe. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.