Joseph Anthony Mitchell

Joseph A. Mitchell, 81, of Homer City, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2014, at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 4, 1933, in Homer City, he was the son of Irene (Suberata) and Joseph Mitchell (ne Guiseppe Miceli). Joe was a 1951 graduate of Homer City High School and was a lifelong member of St. Louis/Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Lucernemines. He worked as a civil engineer at PennDOT for 34 years, earning his professional engineer's license in 1972 through work experience and self-study. A very active member and longtime treasurer of Red Barn Sportsman Club, he was a member of their shuffleboard league and could always be found cooking wings and pizzas there on Friday and Saturday nights. Joe was a member of the Tuesday afternoon golf league at Meadow Lane, the 10 a.m. coffee klatch at the Homer City American Legion, and was a lifetime member of the Homer City Booster Club. He also belonged to the Club Savoy, Indiana Moose, and the Knights of Columbus. He served as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Saint Vincent de Paul, and was a driver for the American Cancer Society. Joe loved sports and was a devout fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, which began when, in his youth, he and his friends would ride the trolley to Indiana to watch televised games through the windows at a local car dealership. He passed this passion on to his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted family man, a caring and generous friend and a tireless volunteer. He was always happy to gather with family and friends, be it for a tailgate, a picnic, holiday party, or Sunday dinner. He was known for his culinary skills, his huge garden, and for sharing his homemade wine. Joe's legacy of love and joy for life will be cherished by all who knew him. Joe is survived by his wife, Margaret L. Andyshak Mitchell, whom he married in 1959; a daughter, Deborah Fawcett (Mark); a son, Gregory (Christine); five grandchildren, Benjamin, Elaina, and Erin Mitchell, and Mitchell and John Fawcett; five sisters, Rose Pavlick, Rene Page, Betty Rowley, Joann Hanley, and Barbara Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joseph M. Mitchell; and four sisters, Sarah Andolina, Mary Randolph, Christina Jefferson, and Carmella Mitchell. Visitation will be on Sunday, June 1, at C. Frederick Bowser Funeral Home, Homer City, from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 2, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Lucernemines. The celebrant will be Father Ronald Cyktor. Interment will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Joseph M. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship, 8400 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 200, College Park, Maryland, 20740. Donations may also be made online at www.mitchellscholarship.umd.edu.