Joseph R. Schaff

Joseph R. Schaff, age 90, of North East, passed away on Saturday June 18, 2022 at UPMC Hamot.  He was born on August 11, 1931 In Erie, Pennsylvania the son of the late Joseph F. and Jean (Ceranowski) Schaff.  Joe graduated Wattsburg High School in 1949 and was formerly employed by Sunshine Packing and Pennzoil as a driver for several years.  He was a lifetime member of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Church in North East where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Alphonsus Ligouri Council 4262.  Joe loved dancing with his wife Joan in the North East Concord Steppers and Dancing Flames.  He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping, walking, reading and spending time with his family.  Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marilyn Abata; and cousin, John Ceranowski.  Joseph is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joan (Post) Schaff whom he married on August 21, 1954 at St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Church; children, Ray Schaff (Ann) and Deborah Caruso (John); grandchildren, Stephanie Turri (Ronald), Brian Schaff (Jaimie), Nicholas Caruso (Ashley), Alex Caruso, and Cory Caruso (Natasha); great-grandchildren, Cael and Coen Turri; Jaedyn, Joelaynd, Jazalily, Jezalyna, Jozalyah, Jettisyn Schaff; Chloe, Cordelia, and Hudson Caruso; nieces, Marilyn Knopka (Mark) and Melanie Johnson (James);cousins, Rev. Albert Ceranowski, Rev. Jerald Ceranowki, Robert Ceranowski, and Donna Benton.  Friends may call at the William D. Elkin Funeral Home, 65 South Lake Street, North East on Wednesday from 2:00-4:00 P.M. and 7:00-9:00 P.M. and are invited to attend a Prayer Service on Thursday at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. at St. Gregory Thaumaturgus Church, 50 South Pearl Street, North East.  The St. Gregory's Knights of Columbus will recite the Rosary on Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. at the funeral home.  Interment will be held at St. Gregory Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to St. Gregory Church, 136 West Main Street; Community Nursing Services of North East, 7 Park Street; or Crescent Hose Company, P.O. Box 89, North East, PA 16428.

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