Oct 6, 2009 2 min read

Joseph John “Hublo” Foriska, 98 years of Shoaf, Pa. died Monday, October 5, 2009. He was born June 10, 1911 at House No. 6, Shoaf, Pa., son of Martin Foriska and Veronica Mastihuba Foriska.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Joseph Foriska, Jr. his loving wife, Agnes Marie Cerny, whom he married on February 12, 1938 and died on January 2, 2004 and sister and brothers, Anastasia Foriska Martinkovic, John Joseph Foriska and Stephen John Foriska. He was the last surviving member of his parent’s immediate family.

Joseph was a coal miner for 47 years having been employed for J.W. Galbreath and Co., Royal (W.J. Rainey), Cerny Coal Co., Kendall Coal Co., Bortz Coal Co., H.C. Frick Mines at Shoaf and Edenborn and U.S. Steel Mines at Collier, Karen and Maple Creek. He retired from Maple Creek UMWA Local 1248 in January 1973. He has been a UMWA member for over 70 years.

He also played baseball for Royal and H.C. Frick Mines. He was the caretaker of the former Saint Helen’s R. C. Church of Shoaf, Pa. for 32 years where he was a lifelong member of the church.

Surviving are his daughter, Rita Jo Miller and husband Lonnie Miller, Carmichaels, Pa.; grandson, David Miller and great grandchildren, Joseph and Destiny.

The family will receive friends in the DEAN C. WHITMARSH FUNERAL HOME, 134 West Church Street, Fairchance, Pa. on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Thursday, October 8, 2009 until 9:30 a.m. when a Prayer Service will be held. A Funeral Mass follows at 10 a.m. in the Ss. Cyril and Methodius R.C. Church, 50 North Morgantown Street, Fairchance, Pa. with Rev. Fr. Andrew M. Kawecki as celebrant.

Interment will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Fairchance, Pa.

Parish Wake service Wednesday at 3 p.m.

A Special Thank You to Hillside Manor Personal Care Home owners Connie and Jim Stambaugh and their staff for all the special care given to Joseph during his six and a half years there and also to the Albert Gallatin Hospice Team for their care.