Joseph S. Siracuse, 92, of Dunkirk died Saturday morning (Sept. 8, 2012) at the Lake Shore Nursing Home in Irving. He was born Dec. 19,
1919 in Fredonia, the son of the late Anthony and Anna (Barone) Siracuse. Mr. Siracuse spent one year at No. 10 Industrial High School where he
learned the machine shop trade. His first job was at Salsina Canning Co. in Fredonia as a cook. On Feb. 10, 1942, he was drafted into the U.S. Army
Article Photos
Joseph S. Siracuse
and served as a paratrooper with the Army Airborne, participating in the battles and campaigns of New Guinea, Southern Philippines and Luzon. He
earned the following medals and awards for his service: American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Metal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Meritorious Unit Award, Bronze Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal and a Purple Heart. Upon returning home, Joseph found employment with the Fredonia Cement Block Co. He later was hired by Allegheny Ludlum
Steel Plant, where he worked as an automatic bar maker for 33 years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of Holy Trinity Church, Holy Name
Society, Fredonia Beaver Club, and a former member of the Carl-Vincent Club in Fredonia. A lifelong resident of the Dunkirk-Fredonia area, he
enjoyed gardening, bowling, singing, playing Mooda, helping with the dishes and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and he was an avid Yankee and Bills fan. He also enjoyed having spaghetti every Wednesday and Sunday. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis (Crino) Siracuse, whom he married June 7, 1952; three daughters, Gracia Dimmer of Dunkirk, LuAnne (Jay) Gilman of Collierville, TN, And Susan (Mike) Colston of Fredonia; three sons, Anthony G. (Bonnie) Siracuse of Orange, CA, Dominick J. (Debra) Siracuse of Fredonia, and Joseph S. (Susan) Siracuse II of Dunkirk; 20 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by
his son, Richard Siracuse; and four brothers, Angelo "Bange" Siracuse, Anthony "Nin" Siracuse, Salvatore "Sal" Siracuse and Louis "Hap" Siracuse.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 9:15 from the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 o'clock in Holy Trinity Church. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held today from 5-7 p.m. and Monday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral
home.
