Joseph Lacertoso

Joseph Lacertoso, 91, of Dunmore, passed away Friday morning in Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit in Dunmore with his loving family by his side.  He and his wife, the former Carmella Sardo, would have celebrated 64 years of marriage on October 26th.

Joseph was born December 16, 1929 in Dunmore along with his identical twin brother, the late Pasquale (“Pat”), to the late Vito Anthony and Philomena Pane Lacertoso.  Joe and Pat weighed in at 2 3/4 and 2 1/4 pounds, respectively, but with the loving and devoted care of their mother, they survived in a homemade incubator near the kitchen coal stove.

Joe was a graduate of Dunmore High School Class of 1949 and then went on to the Johnson School of Technology.  Following graduation, he and his brother Pat entered the workforce and were drafted together into the United States Army in March of 1951.  They were both sent to basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and thereafter were sent to Korea where they served together with the 1st Battalion inside the same Sherman tank for 10 months.  Prior to his retirement, Joe was a buffer polisher for McKinney Manufacturing Corp in Scranton for over 44 years. 

Joe joined his brother Pat in participating in several local religious and civic groups. He too was a faithful member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore, and was also a longtime member of Elite Club in Dunmore, being very active with its annual Easter Egg Hunt. Additionally, Joe was part of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. 

He was an avid sports fan, and knew almost everything about baseball, his favorite team being the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He also enjoyed being part of the St. Anthony’s and McKinney Manufacturing Corp’s bowling leagues.  In the summertime, he could often be found tending to his garden. 

Joe loved to travel to many locations throughout the world with his wife, family, and close friends. Cruises were his absolute favorite.  More than anything, Joe enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, but most of all, he treasured the time spent with cherished great-granddaughter, Tessa.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but truly, to know him was to love him. 

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by a daughter Ann Berardelli and husband Joseph, Olyphant; a son, Joseph Lacertoso, Dunmore; grandchildren Alyssa Scagliotti and husband Jeff, Jessup; and Joseph Berardelli and fiancée Karli Kordish, Jessup; the beloved great-granddaughter and light of his life, Tessa; his sister Dolores Kersavage and husband Bob, Dunmore; and his brother Tony Lacertoso and wife Angie, Dunmore; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He was preceded in death by his identical twin brother, Pasquale (“Pat”) in March of 2020 and his wife Ann, brother James and his wife Ann, and infant sister Isabella.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the staff of Hospice of the Sacred Heart, with special thanks to the at-home nurses and those in the inpatient unit.  The love and care shown to Joe during his times of need are so greatly appreciated. 

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, Chestnut St., Dunmore.  Interment to follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Dunmore.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that preferred contributions in Joe’s memory be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Dr., Suite 7, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

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