Joseph Stefin, 95, of Peckville, passed away on Dec. 22, 2017, following a brief
illness. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Mary Paolucci Stefin, his
wife of 71 years, who passed away on Sept. 7, 2017.
Born in Throop, son of the late Sylvester and Mary Malia Stefin, Joe began
working on a farm at the age of nine. He subsequently joined the Civilian
Conservation Corps, working throughout the United States, before enlisting in the
United States Army. A veteran of World War II, he served as a technician with the
818th Engineer Aviation Battalion in the European Theater of Operations. After the
war, Joe spent the next 50 years working in the local coal mines, as well as with
Dunmore Auto Parts, Wayne Crushed Stone, and DeNaples Auto Parts. Prior to his
retirement, he was employed by the Valley View School District as a custodian.
Joe was a member of the former St. Mary's Assumption Church in Jessup before
joining Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Peckville. He was a life member and past
commander of VFW Post #6082, Peckville.
Among his many talents, Joe was a proud veteran, skilled, mechanic, and loved automobiles.
Over the years, he greatly enjoyed sharing this passion with his children and
grandchildren, and instilled in them the importance of a strong work ethic. A
beloved husband, father and grandfather, Joe's greatest love was for his family,
especially his wife, Mary, with whom he shared a lifelong bond. Joe had a great
sense of humor, a gift for storytelling, and a congenial manner that endeared him to
everyone he knew, especially his grandchildren, to whom he was known as "Papa."
He is survived by his son, Kenneth Stefin; daughter, Cindy Wilson, and husband,
John; grandsons, John and Tyler Wilson; sister-in-law, Ann Sewitsky; brother-in-
law, Arthur Paolucci, and wife, Margaret; and several nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by three brothers: Phillip, James, and Sylvester Stefin.
Special thanks to Dee and Patti, Joe's caregivers; Dr. Brundage, and Dr. Liptock.
The funeral will be Wednesday, Dec. 27, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30
a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 1101 Willow Street, Peckville. Interment
with military honors will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Jessup.
Family and friends may call Wednesday, Dec. 27, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the
church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Joseph's name to the Veterans Of
Foreign Wars Shopa-Davey Post #6082, 123 Electric Street, Peckville, 18452; the
Scranton School for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children, 537 Venard Road, Clarks
Summit, 18411; or the Foundation for Cancer Care, c/o Delta Medix, 225 Penn
Ave., Scranton, 18503.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Arthur A. Albini Funeral
Home, 1003 Church St., Jessup.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Stefin, please visit our
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