Joseph Albert Tomko

Joseph A. Tomko, 94, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2022, at UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.

The son of John A. and Anna (Pollack) Tomko, he was born November 6, 1928, in Graceton, PA.

Joe served in the US Army for two years and retired after 18 years with the US Air Force.  He worked for the R & P Coal Company until his retirement in 1982.

Joe was a member of the SS Simon and Jude Church, Blairsville, United Mine Workers # 488, and the Blairsville VFW Post 5821.

He loved spending time with family and friends, golfing, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, and crossword puzzles.  Joe was a nature lover and appreciated the small things in life.  He especially loved to go for walks.

Surviving is his wife of 67 years, Helen E. (Stipcak) Tomko, whom he married on May 29, 1954, five children, Deborah Darby (James) of Seward, Joanne Nastase (Thomas) of Venice, FL, Joseph Tomko of Pittsburgh, Kathleen Johnston (David) of Blairsville and Stephen Tomko of Bridgeville, eight grandchildren, Melissa Latimer, Myk Tomko, Danielle Flickinger, Amanda Darby, Brooke Pierce, Gina Johnston, James Tomko, and Kevin Tomko, 11 great grandchildren, Zoey, Darbi and Addi Latimer, Blake and Olivia Flickinger, Weston Campbell, Amelia Waterhouse, Paighton and Gage Pierce and Wynsli and Daxtyn, two sisters, Elizabeth Alexander of Homer City and Agnes Elias of Windber and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Stephen, Andrew, and John, three sisters, Anna Tomko, Helena Popovic and Margaret Walker and one granddaughter, Christine Darby.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, November 28th from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA where a wake service will be held on Monday at 7:30 PM.  Prayers of transfer will be held on Tuesday at 9:30 AM in the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass at 10 AM in SS Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church, Blairsville with Rev. Fr. Stephen R. Bugay celebrant.

Interment will be in the SS Simon and Jude Cemetery, Blairsville.

The Blairsville Military Honor Guard will conduct military services at the cemetery.

Thank you to all the doctors & nurses that helped Joe through his difficult times.  He is now in heaven telling the angels, “I want a bologna sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.  Do you understand?”

Joe spent his first Thanksgiving dinner in heaven at the Lord’s table.