Joseph Francis Kaminski

Joseph Francis Kaminski, 89 of Mount Carmel, formerly of Locust Gap, passed away on Wednesday night, January 8, 2025 at Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Coal Township.

Born in Mount Carmel on March 19, 1935, he was the son of the late Frank “Fritz” and Julie (Wywadis) Kaminski.

Joe spent almost ninety years on this earth and seventy-one of those years were with the love of his life, Hope Catherine (Klingerman) Kaminski who survives.

Joe was a strong willed and determined man since he was a child. He survived a fire at a young age but carried the scars and the strength that he developed from this experience throughout his life. He worked with his father at an early age delivering ice and coal, going on trash collection and working at the “garage”.

Joe and Hope moved to Philadelphia to seek employment. The Budd Company hired him as an apprentice tool and die maker; this four-year training program was the means he needed to provide for his growing family.

The “coal region” never left Joe and Hope’s hearts so they returned and moved to Locust Gap in 1969. Joe went back to school to study more about auto repairs having specialized in VWs. This enabled him to take over the family businesses which included an icehouse, gas station and Christmas tree sales.

He loved his family, God and sports. His enthusiasm to learn laid the groundwork for his future. Joe’s life was full. He was a man of few words, he shared his heart, support and home with his ever-growing family. Joe was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and the former Saint Joseph’s Church, Locust Gap.

In addition to sports and family, he loved to make wine, sauerkraut, and enjoyed the outdoors especially hunting, fishing, and mushroom and berry picking. Therefore, his membership in the Clover Rod and Gun Club was a perfect fit.

One of Joe’s family nicknames was “Joe-OK” because he was always right and never backed down from a challenge. There are fond memories of him cross country skiing in the woods in his 60’s and telling stories about missing that deer or turkey. This sixty something “Joe-OK” also hopped on a bike at the reservoir trail and that’s when it was realized that he hadn’t ridden since a child, but somehow, he managed to ride, moccasins on and all.

May any future thoughts of Joe include a raised glass of homemade wine (or your drink of choice), to celebrate Joe’s life and know he will be raising his glass with you. Joe, know that you will be sorely missed by your family and friends.

In addition to his wife Hope Kaminski, he is survived by five children, Joseph Kaminski, Deborah Rietzen (Dave), Anita Wolfgang (Brian), Renee Draugelis (Joe) and Steven Kaminski (Lori); fourteen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death in addition to his parents, were his daughter, Karen Harris; three grandchildren and one sister, Diane Menapace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 11:00 am in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church with Very Rev. Francis J. Karwacki, Pastor as the celebrant. Interment will be private in Saint Joseph’s Cemetery, Locust Gap. A viewing will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:00 am until 10:45 am at the Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz III, Supervisor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe’s memory be made to any Alzheimer/Dementia organization or to your favorite charity. To offer condolences to Joe’s family, please sign the guestbook at www.stutzfuneralhome.com.