Joseph Wohar went home to the Lord on February 15th, his 94th birthday. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Josephine Scalise. Together they lived out their wedding verse, Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all else will be provided.”
Joseph proudly served his country in World War II on the submarine U.S.S. Spearfish. He was an alumnus of St. Vincent College, California State Teachers College and the University of Pittsburgh and a dedicated elementary teacher/principal in the Ringgold School District. Dubbed by his opponents “Smokin’ Joe,” he was inducted into the Western PA Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in 2005.
His life was centered on his Catholic faith as a daily Communicant and with a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Along with his wife, he was a founding member of the Valley of Hope Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. He loved music and cantored for many years at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church; he loved to entertain his family on the harmonica.
He is survived by his 10 children who were all with him in his final days:
Mark Wohar of Donora; Dr. Mary (Javier) Torres of San Antonio, TX; Catherine (Pat) Wood of Wheeling, WV; Dr. John (Linda) Wohar of Brownsville; Francis Wohar of Daisytown; Margaret (Jeff) Aronckes of Pittsburgh; Atty. Christine Wohar of Nashville, TN; Dr. Gregory Wohar of Irwin; Dr. Stephen (Karen) Wohar of Monongahela; Lisa (Andrew) Glowik of Laurel, MD; 28 grandchildren, 6 greatgrandchildren and 3 on the way; his beloved niece Patricia Latsko of Bobtown, PA; and several other nieces and nephews.
Joseph was the youngest child of John and Verona Wohar. He was preceded in death by his brothers Steve, Nick, John and George, and his sisters Margaret, Verna, Helen and Marian.
Family will receive friends at the Anthony L. Massafra Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 40 Second Street Extension, Donora, PA 15033 (724) 379-6900 on Friday February 17, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. Panachida services will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 10:15 AM followed by a Divine Liturgy at 11:00 AM at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Donora with Rev. Fr. Stephen Wahal as celebrant.
Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery with full military rites being accorded by the Mon Valley Firing Squad and Honor Guard.
To leave a condolence please visit www.massafrafuneralhome.com

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Joseph Wohar, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.