Joseph V. Kuna, Jr.
December 11, 2014
Joseph V. Kuna, Jr., West Scranton, died Thursday afternoon in the VNA Hospice Inpatient Unit at the Geisinger Community Medical Center after an illness. His wife was the former Elizabeth Griffiths who died in 2003.
Born in Dupont, he was the son of the late Joseph V. Sr. and Anne Tokash Kuna. He was a graduate of the Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School. He was the proprietor of the Universal Chemical Company and prior to his retirement he had been employed by the former Rainbow Market in Chinchilla and Gerrity’s Supermarket on Meadow Ave where he was known as “The Candy Man.” He was a member of Union Lodge 291 F&AM. Upon completion of high school Joseph enlisted in the United States Air Force.
Joseph was a devout Christian who loved God, Jehovah, and was willing to talk to anyone about his faith and the Bible.
Surviving are sons Kevin at home and Daryl and his wife Melissa of Wilkes-Barre; a brother John Kuna and his wife Jo Ellen of Fleetville; grandchildren; nieces and nephews; friends.
Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10am in the Holy Mother of Sorrows Polish National Catholic Church 212 Wyoming Ave. Dupont.
All attending are asked to go directly to the church.
Friends may call Sunday from 2-5pm in the Vanston and James Funeral Home 1401 Ash St. Scranton.
Masonic services will be held Sunday at 4:30pm.
Interment with Military Honors will take place in the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorial contributions be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
For directions, to share a memory or to leave a condolence please visit www.vanstonandjames.com
Sylvia Gilpin
Your Dad was a sweetheart!! I met him when he worked at the Rainbow Market. He always had a smile or a joke to tell me. My son, Garry who is 23 now, used to love to go to Rainbow because Joe would pretend the shopping cart was a race car push it as fast as he could and make all the noises to go with it. Garry giggled all the way and couldn’t wait to go back the next time. My daughter, Holly who is 30 now, used to always want Turkey Hill Rocky Road ice cream. Your dad would dig through the freezer until he found it for her. They both liked your Dad a lot. Joe was a kind man who had such a big heart. I am truly sorry for your loss. May your Dad rest in peace! Thank you for sharing him with us all those years at the Rainbow Market.
Dan & Meri Rockaway
We would like to give our sincere condolances for the passing of Joe. We first met him at Rainbow Market where our kids did in fact call him “The Candy Man”. My husband & I later opened a restaurant & Joe supplied us with his wonderful floor cleaner. In the later years Joe has been eating at Perkins and Dan says he will certainly be missed. Joe was such a kind gentle man and we’ve had the pleasure of knowing his sons. May god give you all strength needed to get through such a difficult time. Love Dan & Meri Rockaway
Sean Wintermantel
I worked with Joe at Gerrity’s during my High School and College years. He was a great guy to work with and was always there to help a customer find something they needed. Although I haven’t seen him in a few years I can still remember the conversations we had while stocking shelves.. He was a great person and a genuine friend. It was a pleasure to have known him..my sincere condolences.