Obituaries

Joseph Richard Amity, 92, of Taylor, died Sunday evening surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Maccione Amity, who died on August 31, 2014.
Born October 9, 1923, in Akron, Ohio, son of the late Joseph and Michaelina Chillino Amantea (Amity). He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Marjorie Rose Amantea and sister, Mary Salamone.
Joseph grew up in Bronx, NY, until October 19, 1942, when he was enlisted and became a Corporal in the 46th ADG Replacement Squadron. He was a veteran of WWII serving overseas in the Army 8th Air Force Bomber Squadron where he received the following metals: American Service Medal, Bronze Star, European-African-Middle-Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Metal.
After his honorable discharge from the service, Joseph began another chapter of his life by starting, Amity Lumber and Cabinetry, a business well known for its’ hardwoods, serving the public for over 60 years.
Joseph was very committed to his local community by supporting various elderly, youth, and high school programs. A few of his favorites were the Taylor Little League, Taylor Girls Softball, Taylor Girls and Boys Basketball, the Boy Scout Troop #90, and various activities at the Riverside High School. In addition to dedicating 20 years of his life, he served on the Board of Directors for the Meals on Wheels of NEPA, as well as, Chairman for two terms, 1994 & 1995. He was a lifelong Mason with the Acacia Lodge
F & AM Chapter, Taylor.
Joseph was known to be a very generous man when it came to supplying numerous materials to the neighborhood children so they were able to make that imaginary fort come to life. He extended his generosity by working with Billy Emmanuel to build crosses to provide comfort and hope to many people around the world including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Pope Saint John Paul II.
Joseph loved working at the shop all day/every day, leaving food for all of the stray cats in Taylor, gardening, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are his three compassionate children, Daughters, Michaelina Kilvitis, Patrice Haan and husband, Scot, and son, Joseph M. Amity and wife, Patti; Five loving grandchildren, Isabella and Niko Amity, Robert Kilivitis and wife, Phillippe, Janine Galiyano, Juliann Hughes and husband Oran; Six wonderful Great-Grandchildren, who would light up his life every day, Ashlyn and Caitlin Kilvitis, Mason and Gabriella Hughes, Mark (M.J.) and Anabella Galiyano; Nephews, Dan Salamone and wife, Carol, New Jersey and Ted Salamone, North Carolina, and Niece, Rosemary Lencheski and husband Cas, South Carolina, and many great nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Diakew and his entire staff.
A special heartfelt “Thank you” to his wonderful and thoughtful caregivers, Dorothy Brochey, Patty Pavalonis, and his great-grandson, Mason Hughes, who spent many long hours and nights with their, Joe/Gramps, to provide him with their unlimited amount of compassion and patience as he so well deserved.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Friday at 10:15AM from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 N. Main Street in Old Forge, with an 11:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis Street in Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Francis L. Pauselli, Pastor. Entombment, with military honors by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow in the Amity Family Mausoleum at the Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Thursday between 4-7:00PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph’s honor to the Scranton Animal Association, Inc., PO BOX 3784, Scranton, PA, 18505, or to Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis Street, Scranton, Pa., 18505. Please visit the funeral home’s website for directions or to leave an online condolence.