Obituary of Joseph A. Paonessa

Joseph A. Paonessa, Sr., 89, passed away April 2, 2008. Born in Akron, Ohio on October 3, 1918, Joe attended St. Mary's High School then served in the US Navy during World War 11. He married Helen Mignano in 1938 and lived happily together for 65 years until her death July 15, 2003. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Joe worked for O'Neil's Dept. Store in the fur dept. for several years before working for Goodyear Aerospace. In 1965 he was hired by the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier until his retirement in 1980. He always had a faithful following of children and dogs along his route. He was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church as well as a member of the Firestone Park Prime Timers. Joe was a poll worker for Summit County Board of Elections and loved camping with several camping clubs, having traveled all over the United States. He also enjoyed dancing, which he continued to do until recently. His jokes and love for children will be missed by everyone who knew him. Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; son, Michael, a casualty of the Vietnam War in 1968; son-in-law James Butler in 1998; parents Joseph and Clara; brothers, Alfred, Thomas, Guido, Donald and sister Anna. Joe leaves behind his son, Joseph Paonessa Jr. of Akron Ohio and his daughter, Nita Butler of Perkins Oklahoma; grandchildren Maria (Richard) Dockery, John Butler, Renee (Geoff) King, Joe (Michelle) Butler, Tony Paonessa and Jennifer (Hunter) Robinson. Great-grandchildren Andrea and Ashley Gehrmann, John Dockery, Tanner and Makenzie Robinson, Noah and Michael King, Melayna Butler and several nieces and nephews. We have not lost him, he will live on in our memory. We would like to thank Pebble Creek Care Center and Hospice of Visiting Nurse for their loving care. The family will receive friends Friday 5-8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St., (PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS). Funeral services will be held Saturday 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery where VFW Post 3383 will conduct military services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ohio Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Park, P.O. Box 3, Clinton OH 44216 or Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service, 3358 Ridgewood Rd, Akron OH 44333. (Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 330-724-1281, www.kakfh.com)