Joseph Kelly

Joseph Kelly Jr., 94, of Latrobe, (formerly of Peanut) peacefully passed on April 3, 2021. He was born March 15, 1927 in Peanut the son of Joseph and Mary Laposky Kelly.  Beloved husband of 37 years to Patricia Kelly.  Beloved father of Deborah Kelly (Satya) of Pittsburgh, Yvette Glass (Rick) of Leesburg, FL, Wendy Kelly (Fred Closs)of Mansfield, TX, Mark Kelly (Lori) of Harrison City, Denise Ganier (Mike) of Clermont, FL, Diane Garofola (Pete) of Clermont, FL, Neil Kelly (Jamie) of Derry, Grace Kelly of Austin, TX. Two step-daughters Sandy Tarzian (Harry) of Northfield, NH and Jackie Oakley (Sean) of Windemere, FL.  He also leaves behind thirteen grandchildren; Valerie Ankney, Justin Shepler, Jordan Shepler, Cody Kelly, Carol Kelly, Carlye Kelly, J.R. Kelly, Chase Garofola, Taylor Kelly, Logan Ganier, Jessica Strickland, Chuck and Brian Adamchik. Six great grandchildren. Sisters; Mary Catherine Leidenheimer of Falls Church, VA, Virginia, Elizabeth Pagnanelli (Mickey) of Latrobe, Carole Jones (Don) of Mars,PA, and Nancy Wetherson (Jack) of Portland, OR. Many nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Beverly Albaugh of Latrobe and best friend "Saint" Dennis Myers who was like a son. 
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters; Jane Mari and Barbara Ferko and a grandson Donnie Kelly.
Joe was a member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church  and served proudly in the U.S. Navy during WWII where he developed a life-long interest in cooking. He worked at Latrobe Steel and attended college at night. After earning his degree, he attended and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science on September 1, 1979 while still working the midnight shift at Latrobe Steel and became a licensed funeral director on July 2, 1982. Upon graduation, he worked until his mid 80s as a Funeral Director at McCabe Funeral Homes and felt it was his calling to help comfort people during their time of loss.  
Joe's life-long passion was using his woodshop to make gifts, from toys and Christmas decorations to cutting boards and cookbook holders, for everyone. However, his principal legacy was reaching out, in a warm friendly manner, to all he encountered, regardless of race, creed or religion and tremendously enjoying his conversations with them.  He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and wide circle of acquaintances, but we know that he's in Heaven making new friends and possibly cooking for them!  
 Family and friends will be received Thursday from 4-7pm in the McCabe Funeral Home, 300 W. Third Avenue, Derry. The Divine Liturgy will be Friday at 11am in St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, Bradenville. Interment will follow in the Unity Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Westmoreland County Food Bank.
Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.