Joseph C. Devaney

Joseph C. Devaney, 78, of Weston, passed away early Monday morning at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton.

Born in Sheppton, January 3, 1939, he was the son of Josephine (Francisci) Devaney, Oneida, and the late Joseph Devaney, and had resided in Weston for the past 53 years.

Joe was a 1956 graduate of Black Creek Township High School and a 1960 graduate of Bloomsburg State Teacher’s College with a B.S. in Education.  He was an English and History Teacher for Centeral Columbia High School and Hazleton Area School District for a total of 31 years, before his retirement in 1991.  While with Hazleton Area, he served as the playground supervisor and was a basketball coach at Rock Glen Junior High School. 

He was a member of Sacred Heart RC Church, Weston, and the Weston Athletic Association.  He served as a Twin County Little League Baseball manger, CYO director in Weston, and Recreation Supervisor at Whispering Willows Park, Conyngham, and was a Past-President of the Black Creek Township Fire Company.  He enjoyed country music, all sports, especially basketball, spending time with his grandchildren, and attending their various activities and sporting events.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his father, by his son Darren, who passed away December 11, 2016; a sister Kathleen Jemo; an aunt Anna Francisci; an uncle Henry Francisci; and grandparents Anna and Emmanuel Francisci, with whom he resided in his youth.

Surviving in addition to his mother, are his wife the former Barbara Wolk, to whom he would have been married 57 years on November 23, 2017; three daughters Nadine Veet and her husband Nicholas; Jolene Rapach and her husband Joseph; and Lisa Whitaker and her husband Alan, all of Hazleton; five grandchildren Justin Devaney, Tiffany Veet, Jenna Rapach, and Alec and Jace Whitaker; two sisters Rose Marie Devaney; and Jacqueline Zions and her husband Richard, all of Sheppton; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart RC Church, 554 Main Street, Weston.  Burial will follow privately in the parish cemetery.  There will be no public viewing.  Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (West) 1265 Rock Glen Road, Rock Glen is assisting the family with the arrangements.  Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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