First Posted: 1/6/2013
Joseph ‘Peppy’ Falcone, 91, of Washington Square Apartments, Wilkes-Barre, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Commonwealth Hospice at St. Luke’s Villa in Wilkes-Barre.
He was born in Pittston on Aug. 29, 1921, a son of the late Angelo and Pauline Baiera Falcone. He attended Pittston High School. Joseph was formerly employed by the United Pants Factory, in Swoyersville, and he was later employed for 25 years as a school crossing guard for the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.
Joseph was a former member of Holy Rosary Church in Wilkes-Barre, where he served as the head usher and as a member of the Holy Name Society. He also was a member of the St. Paolina Club in Wilkes-Barre.
Peppy was a loving and devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to dance, especially the Jitterbug. Last summer he dazzled and delighted his family and friends with his dancing skills at the wedding of his grandson, Tony Decker Jr.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Amelia Marino Falcone, in 2005, and by a son, Angelo, in 1999. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, John, Angelo; by his sisters, Ann Marocco, Pauline Jones, Francine Bryk, Jenny Falcone and Carrie Guilano.
Surviving are daughters, Paula Decker and her husband, Tony, Plymouth; Kimberly Paddock and her husband, Mark, Plymouth; grandchildren, Carla Kozick, Tony Decker Jr., Mark Paddock Jr., Tina Najera, Keith and Tony Falcone; great-grandchildren, Angelo Najera, Karly Kozick, and Jayden, Casey and Danny Falcone; brother, Samuel Falcone and his wife, Theresa, Dupont; sisters, Josephine Falcone, Pittston, Mary Lagguitar, Geneva, N.Y.; nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, at 9 a.m. from the Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 9:30 a.m. in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call today, Jan. 6, 2013, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made at the funeral home to Commonwealth Hospice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting Joseph’s obituary at www.natandgawlasfuneralhome.com.