Obituaries

Joseph F. Cherra, Sr., 89, of Taylor, passed away Sunday morning at Allied Hospice in Scranton, after an illness, to be with his Lord and the Blessed Bowling Alley in the sky. He is survived by his best friend and beloved wife of 63 years, Helen Graycar Cherra. The couple married July 9, 1955.
Born in Scranton on July 18, 1929, son of the late Simone and Dorothea Cherra, Joseph was educated at West Scranton High School. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1948 until receiving his Honorable Discharge in 1952. A longtime Letter Carrier, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement and remained a life member of both the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Retired Federal Employees.
Active throughout his life, Joe was an avid bowler and shared this passion for bowling with his grandchildren. He also loved a great day of fishing with family and friends. Joe lived for summer and winter months to be out mowing the lawn or shoveling the snow.
He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a member of both the national and local AARP, and a member of the Senior 76ers Bowling League. A faithful Roman Catholic, he was a longtime member of the former Immaculate Conception Church in Taylor, prior to its closure, and most recently, a member of Old Forge’s Prince of Peace Parish.
Kind, humble, and the epitome of a gentleman, he was never seen without a smile. A loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, he’ll always be remembered as “Joe the Mailman” who was admired and liked by all on his route.
In addition to his loving wife, Helen, he is also survived by his children: Mary Kleback Dougherty (John) of Moosic, Joseph Cherra, Jr. (Magdalena) of Maryland, and Jo Ann Lane (Greg) of Moosic; his siblings: Andrew and Samuel Cherra and Mary Bucciarelli; Grandchildren: Keith Kleback (Stacey), Matthew Lane (Alina) , Mark Cherra (Alyssa), Jason Lane (Jessica), Josie Lynn Nelson, Brent Lane (Amanda). Great-grandchildren: Christian and Cory Yocom, T.J. Nelson, Hailey, Simon, and Ava Lane; Brother-in-law, Dave Surgent, and nieces and nephews.
His granddaughter, Dionne Kleback, preceded him in death on November 4, 2018.
The Cherra Family would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone at Linwood Skilled Nursing and Allied Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care given to Joe during his illness.
A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:00AM at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Prince of Peace Parish, Old Forge, to be celebrated by Rev. August A. Ricciardi, Pastor. Friends and family may pay their respects at the church Wednesday from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass. Burial with military honors will be provided by the AMVETS Honor Guard.
Arrangements are under the care of the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge. Please visit the funeral home’s website for directions or to leave an online condolence.