Obituary for Joseph A. Onofrey
Joseph “Joe” Onofrey, beloved husband of Barbara, returned to his heavenly home on February 22 at Gettysburg Hospital after fighting with all his might for many years from various illnesses. His true devotion to God and love of family carried him on in spite of his sufferings.
Joe was the second in line of 9 children brought into the world by Anthony and Helen Onofrey. He was born on November 18, 1938 in Ford City, PA. He was predeceased by his parents.
After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps. He received an honorable discharge before entering Indiana University of PA. Joe graduated with a degree in Geography and in following years he earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland. Joe taught in Montgomery County Maryland for 29 years and after retirement accepted a positions with the National Park Service at Harpers Ferry, WV, the Eisenhower National Historic Site and finally as the Education Specialist at Gettysburg National Military Park. During his time with the National Park Service he was awarded the Freeman Tilden award, the highest award presented to an interpreter in the National Park Service, for a children’s program he wrote on conflict resolution. As a park employee he started the Traveling Trunk program that was an instant hit with teachers throughout the country. He and his wife developed a children’s program for the Eisenhower Site entitled, Modeling of a Leader -Dwight D. Eisenhower. Joe was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Joe is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara, their sons Andrew (Merrith) of Scottsburg, VA and Anthony of Frederick, Maryland. He is also survived by two granddaughters Karsen and Lydia Onofrey of Frederick, MD.
Brother Robert (Antje) of Boerne TX, Raymond of Greenville PA, Annette (Charles) Waggoner of Hadam, CT, Mary Margaret (Don) Carter of Apopa, FL, Anthony Onofrey of Ford City, PA, Christine (Bob) Frank of Karen’s City, Pa, Jean (Tim) Alvino of Yorktown Heights, NY, and James(Janice) Onofrey of Ford City PA. Joe is also survived by 2 Aunts and an uncle as well as many nephews and nieces.
He was an avid pheasant hunter with his loyal Germans Shorthaired Pointer Elsa. They hunted at S & M Hunt Club in Gettysburg, in South Dakota. Kansas, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Joe loved hunting with his sons and friends. He also enjoyed trap shooting at Littlestown and New Oxford Clubs for many years.
Joe and his wife enjoyed many adventures in their travels for years with the children and then as a couple exploring the USA, Canada and many countries in Europe, South America and Africa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St Francis Xavier Church, High Street, Gettysburg, PA with Fr. Daniel Mitzel celebrant. There will be a viewing at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass. Burial will be private at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Ford City PA. at a later date. Joe requested that donations in his memory be sent to Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, 600 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033 or St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 465 Table Rock Road, Gettysburg. PA 17325.
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Joe was the second in line of 9 children brought into the world by Anthony and Helen Onofrey. He was born on November 18, 1938 in Ford City, PA. He was predeceased by his parents.
After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps. He received an honorable discharge before entering Indiana University of PA. Joe graduated with a degree in Geography and in following years he earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland. Joe taught in Montgomery County Maryland for 29 years and after retirement accepted a positions with the National Park Service at Harpers Ferry, WV, the Eisenhower National Historic Site and finally as the Education Specialist at Gettysburg National Military Park. During his time with the National Park Service he was awarded the Freeman Tilden award, the highest award presented to an interpreter in the National Park Service, for a children’s program he wrote on conflict resolution. As a park employee he started the Traveling Trunk program that was an instant hit with teachers throughout the country. He and his wife developed a children’s program for the Eisenhower Site entitled, Modeling of a Leader -Dwight D. Eisenhower. Joe was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Joe is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara, their sons Andrew (Merrith) of Scottsburg, VA and Anthony of Frederick, Maryland. He is also survived by two granddaughters Karsen and Lydia Onofrey of Frederick, MD.
Brother Robert (Antje) of Boerne TX, Raymond of Greenville PA, Annette (Charles) Waggoner of Hadam, CT, Mary Margaret (Don) Carter of Apopa, FL, Anthony Onofrey of Ford City, PA, Christine (Bob) Frank of Karen’s City, Pa, Jean (Tim) Alvino of Yorktown Heights, NY, and James(Janice) Onofrey of Ford City PA. Joe is also survived by 2 Aunts and an uncle as well as many nephews and nieces.
He was an avid pheasant hunter with his loyal Germans Shorthaired Pointer Elsa. They hunted at S & M Hunt Club in Gettysburg, in South Dakota. Kansas, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Joe loved hunting with his sons and friends. He also enjoyed trap shooting at Littlestown and New Oxford Clubs for many years.
Joe and his wife enjoyed many adventures in their travels for years with the children and then as a couple exploring the USA, Canada and many countries in Europe, South America and Africa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St Francis Xavier Church, High Street, Gettysburg, PA with Fr. Daniel Mitzel celebrant. There will be a viewing at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the Mass. Burial will be private at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Ford City PA. at a later date. Joe requested that donations in his memory be sent to Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, 600 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033 or St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 465 Table Rock Road, Gettysburg. PA 17325.
Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
28
Feb
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
25 West High Street
Gettyburg, PA 17325
Service
Wednesday
28
Feb
11:00 AM
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
25 West High Street
Gettyburg, PA 17325
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