Joseph John Boscaino, 78, State College, PA, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, while surrounded by his family, went home to be with the Lord on the Feast of St. Joseph, Thursday, March 19, 2015. Joe is predeceased by his first wife, JoAnne E. (Thompson) Boscaino; and his parents, Joseph John Boscaino Sr. and Theresa A. (Kochik) Boscaino.
Joe is survived by his second wife, Mary Margaret Gatto Boscaino; his son, Michael D. Boscaino and his two daughters, Susan M. Boscaino (Curtis) Poorman and Deborah E. Boscaino and her husband, David Holsworth, all of Bellefonte. Also surviving are his three granddaughters; Kristi Jo Poorman (John) Heck, Norwich, Connecticut, their children John Christopher and Joseph; Kathryn E. Rogers (Jeffrey) Deitrich and their children Hannah and Sophia; and Cassie E. Poorman and her son, Wyatt Clouse, all of Bellefonte.
Also surviving Joe are his stepson, James Gatto and his sons, Anthony and Sage, all of Pittsburgh and step daughter; Sylvia Gatto, and her sons, Ben (Tara) of Philadelphia and Brian (Sara) of Ridgway, and great grandchildren; Libby, Piper, Emily Rose, Jerimiah and Samantha Josephine.
Surviving are sisters Geraldine Boscaino (Joseph-deceased) Starcovic, Henderson, Nevada, and Monica Boscaino (Charles) Reese of Clearfield, PA and their families.
Joe was born and raised in Bellefonte. Joe’s education began at St. John the Evangelist Parochial School. He served as an altar boy at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Joe graduated from Bellefonte High School, class of 1955. He was a third-degree knight in the Bellefonte Chapter of The Knights of Columbus. Throughout his life Joe was employed as a tree trimmer, worked for Erie Technological Products and Fleisher Dairy Stores. Along with his first wife, he owned Boscaino's Variety Store in Bellefonte for 25 years. He was a loved and respected member of the Bellefonte community. After retirement he enjoyed working for O.W. Houts & Sons.
Joe enjoyed softball, bowling, collecting coins and vintage post cards of Bellefonte as well as the game of
golf, whether on the course or on television. He was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in State
College.
Joe's entire family would like to thank Dr. Hussein Aboul-Hosn, and the many doctors and nurses who attended him while at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Mount Nittany Medical Center Wound Clinic and Health South Nittany Valley Rehab Hospital, Pleasant Gap. Joe received wonderful care. His family will be forever grateful.
Family and friends will be received Sunday evening, March 22, 2015, 6-8 p.m., at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring St., Bellefonte, PA. The funeral service will be held Monday, March 23, 2015 at Church of
the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 867 Grays Woods Blvd, Port Matilda, PA, at 11 a.m., with Father Charles M. Amershek officiating.
Donations in Joe's memory may be made to The American Diabetes Foundation, PO Box 1834, Merrifield, VA 22116-8034. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., Bellefonte. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com