Thomas Joseph

With sadness, yet with hope in the resurrection on the last day, His Grace Bishop Thomas of the Diocese of Oakland, Charleston and the Mid-Atlantic announces the passing from this life of his father, Thomas Joseph, Sr. who was known affectionately as “Uncle T.”

Mr. Joseph was born on August 22, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan. He became the loving husband of Sylvia Jean Joseph who has already departed this life. In addition to Sayidna Thomas, they are survived by their daughter, Patricia (Jerry) Izydorczak, as well as granddaughter, Lisa (Anthony) Laurenzi, and great-granddaughter, Stella.

St. George Church of Little Falls, New Jersey was where Mr. Joseph converted to the Orthodox Christian faith as a teenager, becoming a pillar of the community from 1949-1996, including the years when he assisted Fr. Michael Simon when the parish was located in nearby Paterson. During his time in New Jersey he was also a member of the Church of the Holy Resurrection (OCA) in Wayne. Mr. Joseph was also a devoted member of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Mr. Joseph worked for 41 years for Bayer Corp. in different capacities. He and Mrs. Joseph retired to Fort Myers, Florida where they were active members of St. Nicholas Church in St. Petersburg, as well as the Church of the Holy Cross (OCA) in Olga. Mr. Joseph later moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he became a member of the St. George Church in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. It was his great joy to sing in the choir for all three churches. Mr. Joseph reposed in the Lord on Thursday, February 6, 2020.

Sayidna Thomas writes: “I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been so patient with me and loving and caring in every way, especially for my departed father. I was blessed to have a good time of lucidity with my dad this morning before he passed away. He went joyfully, peacefully, anxiously awaiting to be with my mother Jean. I ask for your prayers for my father and mother, my sister Patricia, and her family.”

His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, primate of the Antiochian Archdiocese, asks his brother hierarchs, clergy, and laity to pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Joseph for the next 40 days.

Funeral Arrangements

Visitation, Trisagion & Funeral will all be held on Tuesday, February 11 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral (3400 Dawson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213).

· Visitation with Trisagion Memorial – 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

· Mercy Meal – 6:00 p.m.

· Funeral – 7:30 p.m.

Interment will be on Saturday of Souls, February 22 at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park (12777 FL-82, Lehigh Acres, FL 33973) in the Orthodox Christian section at 3:00 p.m.

Many friends and family will gather for prayer and worship in the Divine Liturgy for Saturday of Souls at Holy Cross (OCA) Orthodox Church – (2365 S Olga Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905) at 9:00 a.m.

The nine-day Trisagion Memorial will be held on Saturday, February 15 at St. George Orthodox Church in New Kensington, Pennsylvania (1150 Leishman Ave.) at 6:00 p.m.

The 40-day Trisagion Memorial will be held before the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 8 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Charleston, West Virginia (201 Court St).

Memorials (donations) should be made to the Antiochian Village Camp (201 Saint Ignatius Trail, Bolivar, PA 15923) or the Antiochian Village Heritage and Learning Center (140 Church Camp Trail, Bolivar, PA 15923).

May the memory of Mr. Joseph be eternal!