Joseph Paul Kroskie – Belle Vernon
Joseph Paul Kroskie, 74, of Belle Vernon, Washington Township, passed away at home with family by this side on Oct. 10, 2023, after a 15-year fight with “Parkie,” the nickname he gave his Parkinson’s disease and the mishaps that it caused. Joe was born in Arnold City, the youngest of six children to Della Gondusky and Walter “Whitey” Kroskie. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon, Joe graduated from high school in 1967 and California University of Pennsylvania in 1971, where he played baseball and majored in social studies. He was in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1971-77. Joe taught social studies at Belle Vernon Area for 32 years and coached high school football for 34 years at various schools in the area. He was the defensive coordinator at Belle Vernon Area in 1995 when the Leopards won their first WPIAL championship. Joe was inducted into the Belle Vernon Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Joe was a member of St. Sebastian Church and Naomi Athletic Club. He played adult men’s slow pitch softball for 30-plus years and was an avid golfer. He was equally comfortable playing chess with students during lunch as he was motivating athletes in the locker room. He never turned down a party invitation and could often be heard belting out Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” bum bum bums. Joe was married to Karen Drenko Kroskie for 51 years. They have two daughters, Shannon (Ryan) Smith and Brandy (Marlin) Miller; and four grandchildren, Tyberius Washinski, Victoria Washinski, Holden Smith and Claudia Smith. Joe is survived by his brother, Walter “Wudge” Kroskie; and his sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Chorba, and Adeline and Ron Lupori; 21 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, J. Edward Kroskie and Stanley “Srubby” Kroskie. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME & CREMATIONS LLC, family owned and operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-6183. Prayers of Transfer will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home followed by a 9:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Michael J. Crookston as celebrant. Interment will take place in West Newton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.
