Joseph John Opiela Jr

Joseph John Opiela, Jr., 72, born July 11, 1940 in Pittsburg, PA to Joseph T. and Helen Opiela, passed away September 15, 2012. He served in the US Army as a medic during the Vietnam War and later worked at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. caring for wounded veterans. Following his service, Joe worked at American Movers Conference for 25 years. After moving to Jacksonville, FL, he worked for Converges for 16 years and was a longtime active member and deacon at St. Nicholas Christian Church.

Joseph is survived by his wife of 31 years, Lorena, his son Scott (Shannon), his step-daughter Michelle Floyd (Jerry Lee) and grandchildren Allison Tatum (Tony), Kathleen Moran (Charles) and Jack Floyd.

Funeral will be held 2:30pm Sunday (Today), September 16th at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service at the funeral home. The service will be conducted by Rev. Ben Brown, former pastor of St. Nicholas Park Christian Church, and pastor Rev. Ernie Unholz of St. Nicholas Park Christian Church. The interment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Nicholas Park Christian Church, 3226 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville Beach.