Joseph Gontarchick

Joseph Gontarchick entered into eternal life, peacefully, on September 5, 2015 while under the care of Reading Hospital. Always known as Joe, he was very proud of his age having celebrated his 91st year of life this past March.

Joe was born in Jonestown, Schuylkill County, to first generation immigrants, Wasil and Rose Gontarchick. Like so many immigrants from Eastern Europe, they came to America in search of a better life. Their journey brought them to the coal regions of Pennsylvania. Joe was one of nine children and enjoyed an active childhood. He loved to tell stories of driving a car through coal fields before he was old enough to get a license to drive. Even though the family was of meager means, Joe and his siblings were brought up in a way that taught them the value of hard work and perseverance. Joe's brothers and sisters were a constant presence throughout his life.

Joe graduated from Cass Township High School and soon found himself facing a world at war. He joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Solomons, CVE 67 as a machinist mate. Most of his time was spent below deck in the engine room where he picked up so much of his future technical prowess. He often spoke of what it was like to serve aboard ship including sailing across the equator. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945 and returned to Schuylkill County.

Returning from the war, work was scarce, so Joe joined his brothers in a wildcat coal business. His stories about the very hard and dangerous work gave us a renewed appreciation for this type of work. He was fortunate to obtain a job at the Alcoa Aluminum Works in Cressona, PA where he worked for many years. During this time he met the love of his life, Rose Chisick. They were married on June 5, 1948 and settled down to begin raising a family. Rose also came from a large family of six and they soon became fast friends with the Gontarchicks. Their first home together was in St. Clair where oldest son, James, was born along with daughter, Joann. Striving to provide more for his family, Joe took a job with Bethlehem Steel at the Grace Mine in Morgantown, PA. For years, Joe commuted to Morgantown from St. Clair. He did so by riding with a band of buddies from the coal region. They shared driving duties and often came home in perilous winter conditions. Eventually, Joe moved his family to Reading so that he would be closer to work. They bought a home in West Lawn where he lived, with his family, for the rest of his life.

Eventually, Bethlehem Steel experienced financial problems and they closed down the Grace Mine. Joe lost his job on the eve of the marriage of his daughter, Joann, to Michael Carper. No worries, this would not deter him from ensuring that everyone had a wonderful time at the wedding party. By now, Joe was a man with many talents. He had no trouble securing a new job and soon was employed by Carpenter Steel in Reading, where his son, James was already working. The two of them worked together for many years until Joe's retirement in 1988. At Carpenter Joe really shined, sharing his years of mechanical and technical experience with those around him. He was famous for tinkering on projects at home along with the homes of his two children who were building households of their own.

Joe was very proud of his family and always felt fortunate that his children grew up to have fulfilling lives. Son James married Debra Katchur in 1981 and gave Joe a grandson to carry on the Gontarchick name, Matthew Gontarchick. Daughter, Joann, married Michael Carper and produced three grandchildren, Michelle, Joseph and Morgan. Joe spent many hours with these grandchildren, attending music recitals, sports, school events or just playing together. As time went by, the grandchildren grew into adults and Joe was blessed with three grandchildren, Smith, Crosby and Molly. Joe was always interested in the lives of each member of his extended family. He would spend hours on the phone with Joann seeking out every detail. Faithful son, James became a daily part of Joe's life assisting him with every chore or need that he may have. Joe's curiosity about the world around him continued right up to his last breath. Joe will always be remembered as a family man. His devotion to Rose was beyond compare. Later in life, Joe became her caregiver for almost 10 years until she passed from this life in 2006.

Joseph leaves behind his two children: James, husband of Debra Gontarchick, Sinking Spring; Joann, wife of Michael Carper, Lancaster; grandchildren: Matthew Gontarchick, Michelle Billig, Joseph Carper, and Morgan Carper; and great-grandchildren: Smith, Crosby, and Molly.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose; his brothers, John, Michael, Theodore, Bernard; and sisters, Anna, Mary, Olga, and Betty.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a Mass of Christian Burial which will be held Friday, September 11, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 740 Cherry Street, West Reading, PA 19611. Entombment will follow in Gethsemane Mausoleum. There will be a visitation Friday from 10-11:30 a.m. in the church. Joe was a devoted Catholic and would request that in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Sacred Heart Church Memorial Fund at the above address. Online condolences can be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.