Joseph J. Bartholomai
Joseph J. Bartholomai, age 88, Connellsville, Pa., died Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at home.
Born Thursday, July 9, 1925 in Connellsville, Pa he was the son of Henry Bartholomai and Alice (Welsh) Bartholomai.
He was Catholic by faith and a former member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Connellsville.
Joseph attended the Immaculate Conception Elementary and High schools and graduated from the former Franklin Commercial College in Connellsville.
He was a World War II veteran where he served with Company E, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division in Northern France, North Apennines and the Po Valley campaigns. He also served with Tank Company 11th Infantry, 28th Division for a short time during the Korean War. He received the European-Mediterranean Theatre Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct and World War II Victory medals and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
Prior to his retirement, Joseph worked as a Trainman-Conductor with P and LE Railroad for 34 years.
He was previously employed by United States Steel Corporation’s Homestead Works.
He was a Lifetime Member of the United Transportation Union, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 21, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 546, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 58.
He was a member of American Legion Post 146 in Dunbar, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 493, and Loyal Order of Moose in Connellsville.
Joseph was a Boy Scout Leader for many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine (Coligan) Bartholomai; sisters, Cecelia Michaels, Dorothy Franklin, Evelyn Bartholomai, Annamarie Bartholomai; brothers, John Henry Bartholomai and Robert Bartholomai; and step-granddaughter, Carla Dopplehauer Wiltrout. Joseph was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He is survived by a daughter, Linda Leonard and husband Roy Jr. of Connellsville, Pa.; son, James Bartholomai and his wife Joanne of Elmira, New York; two step daughters: Joyce Dopplehauer and husband Carl, Connellsville, Pa., and Judy Dodd of Horseheads, New York grandchildren: Eric Kreinbrook of Pittsburgh Pa., Jeffrey Kreinbrook and Kelli Andrews both of Connellsville, Pa.; e i g h t great-grand children;step great-grand children; step great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and Friends will be received today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. in the PAUL G. FINK FUNERAL HOME INC., Dennis N. Heath Jr., Supervisor, 418 North Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville, Pa., where a Blessing Service will be held Monday, February 24, 2014 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Father Jerry Juarez officiating.
Interment will follow in Green Ridge Memorial Park, Pennsville, Pa., with Full Military Rites accorded at graveside by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 21 and the American Legion Post 301 and Post 762.
Visitation was also held Saturday, February 22, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m
Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association at 1-800-242-8721, or to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation Inc., 7008 Little River Turnpike, Post Office Box 49, Annandale, VA 22003.