Joseph C. Gilardone

Joseph C. Gilardone, Jr., 80, of Virginville died June 22nd after a prolonged illness.

Born July 10, 1925 in Reading, he was a son of the late Joseph C. Sr., and Elsie (Moritz) Gilardone.

He had been married 47 years to Darlene (Mays) Gilardone who died May 3, 1994.

Joseph was a 1943 graduate of Fleetwood Area High School where he enjoyed sports and was a member of the soccer and track & field teams.

He served our country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Joseph was in basic training at Parris Island before being deployed to the South Pacific. He served with the Second Marine Division in campaigns on Saipan and Okinawa, and was involved in the first wave attack on the island of Iwo Jima. He was part of the Co. "D" 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion.

After being discharged from the Marines he entered the family embroidery business, learning that trade from his father. He later became owner of the 125 year old Virginville family business, J.C. Gilardone and Son, Inc. He was responsible for many inventions and patents on machines and techniques used throughout his sixty-five years in the business.

He was a lifetime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fleetwood.

Joseph was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman. He was a member of the Berkshire Country Club and a charter member of Moselem Spring Golf Club where he belonged to the "Old Goats". Joseph loved competition and always looked forward to tournaments and matches.

His interest in racing lead to the building of a race track on his country farm where he hosted go-cart, motorcycle and sports car races. Dureyea and PA Hill Climb Sports car clubs came to those events during the 1960's. He also enjoyed racing snowmobiles in Lake Placid, New York.

He was a 50 year member of Huguenot Lodge #377, Kutztown and a member of the Valley of Reading Consistory, Rajah Shrine. He was also a 60 year member of the American Legion and served on various boards, including the Richmond Township Zoning Board.

Joseph is survived by a son, Joseph C. "Trey" Gilardone, III, of Kutztown and two daughters, Joan C. (Gilardone) wife of Ronald M. Boltz of Akron, Lancaster County and Lori A. (Gilardone) wife of Leonard P. Borkey of Kutztown.

He is also survived by three grandchildren, Alan husband of Michelle (Mansholtz) Boltz of Redondo Beach, CA, Anne Marie (Boltz) wife of Corey Andrew of Washington Borough, Lancaster County and Amy E. Boltz of Philadelphia.

Other survivors include a sister, Dorothy (Gilardone) wife of W. James Strachen of Fleetwood, 16 nephews and 12 nieces.

Services will be Monday 11:00 am in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 117 East Arch Street, Fleetwood. Viewings Sunday evening 6-8 pm in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., Laureldale and Monday 10am until time of service in the church. Burial with Military Honors will be in Berks County Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Heart Association 25 Stevens Avenue, West Lawn, Pa 19609 or the Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10016. www.christfuneralhome.com.