Kerak, Joseph P...................Times News .......August 10, 2009

Joseph P. Kerak, 77, of Pine Avenue, Hometown, died Sunday, Aug. 9, in the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. He was the husband of Mildred "Mill" (Felsoci) Kerak. They were married for 53 years.From 1956-60, he was a photographer for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and then went to work as a purchasing agent for Triangle Conduit in New Jersey, and Archibald Pa., until 1980. Upon leaving Triangle Conduit, he worked for Ametek Plastics, Nesquehoning, retiring in 1999.Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Joseph and Cecelia (Pasternak) Kerak.He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua.Kerak was a graduate of the former Coaldale High School, where he excelled in football, track and basketball. In 2006, he was inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame/Carbon County Chapter, in recognition of his accomplishments in high school athletics.The deceased was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflilct.Surviving in addition to his widow are three daughters, Michelle S., wife of Thomas Blumetti of Fairhaven, Mass., Kerry, and her fiancé, Joel Perry, of Tuscarora, and Tania Kerak, and her husband, Bill Pawlowski, of Warminster, Pa.; two sons, Bryan J., and his wife, Shirley, of Jermyn, Pa., and Joel L., and his wife, Anna, of Levittown, Pa.; a sister, Ann Hoepker of Lodi, N.J.; and three grandchildren, Kyle, Kacy and Elani. Service: Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua, with the Rev. William Linkchorst officiating. Interment, SS. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery, Nesquehoning. Call 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and 8:45-9:30 a.m. Thursday, E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua. Contributions in his name may be made to Geisinger Medical Center/Cardiac Care, 11 Aademy Ave., Danville, Pa. 17822. Sign online registry and condolences at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.