Joseph Edward Jarosz, 80, Served in the U.S. Navy for Five Years

He was born February 25, 1927 in Cleveland, where he was raised. He had made his home in Amherst since 1965.

Joe served in the US Navy for five years during World War II as a baker aboard the USS Bagley, USS Maumee, USS Fred T. Berry, USS Duncan, and the USS Samiel N. Moore. While serving his country, he received the WWII Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal, American Theatre Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the China Service Medal. Joe was employed at Nordson Corp. for 33 years before retiring in 1986. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Amherst where he served as an altar server.

Joe was very active in his younger years, playing St. Nicholas and Santa Claus at the St. Joseph Catholic School and the VFW in Amherst. He was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, a member of the American Legion Post #118, the VFW Post #1662 in Amherst, where he served as a commander for 2 years, a member of the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard, and was also a member of the Nordson’s baseball team. Joe was a mentor for 10 years in junior achievements. Joe’s passion was in Boy Scouts, where he was active for 31 years. During his career in scouting, he was awarded the Scoutmaster Key, District Award of Merit, Bronze Pelican, Scooters Training Award, American Legion Scout Square Knox Award, Order of the Arrow, Woodbadge Trained, Man of the Year for Scouting, St. George Award, Canadian Scout Award, and the highest award in scouting, the Silver Beaver Award.

In 1977, Joe started as a webjo’s leader of the St. Joseph Pack 429, where he became the acting scoutmaster until his retirement. Joe was always involved in youth programs, holding many roles including camp master and commissioner, and remained an active member of the camp service corp. otherwise known as the “Over the Hill Gang” at Camp Firelands. He also helped in the construction of the Memorial Pavilion of Jane C. Jarosz, his late wife. He was a member and chairman of the Silver Beaver Committee, assisted in Boy Scout troop organization, chairman of the Catholic Committee on Scouting, Religious Award Counselor, Merit Badge Counselor, and the Service Performance Scoutmaster. He enjoyed camping at Camp Firelands.

Survivors include his son Joseph L. and Jennifer Jarosz, III of Nova; his daughter Shirley and Ron Brandt of Vermilion; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and his brothers Benjamin Jarosz of Texas and Leo Jarosz of Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Jane Catherine Jarosz (nee: Marzee) in 1998; his brothers Robert, Chester, Florian, Edward, and Julian; his sisters Josephine Ziro, Tereasa Biliski; and by his parents Joseph Edward and Catherine Jarosz (nee: Dzikelewski).

Friends may call Tuesday, May 29, 2007 from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Closing prayers will be held Wednesday, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. form St. Joseph Catholic Church; 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. The Rev. Fr. Lawrence Martello, pastor, will officiate. Military honors give by the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the family.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hempel Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, OH 44001.