Joseph Tucker

Joseph Nathaniel Tucker, 47, of Washington PA, died unexpectedly Monday, May 30, 2016 after being stricken ill.

Born August 25, 1968 in Scranton, he was the son of Anthony and Mary Alice Hennigan Acquaviva of Elmhurst Twp., PA. Joseph graduated from the Scranton State School for the Deaf, as well as the food service program at the Hiram G. Andrews Vocational Training Center in Johnstown, PA. He had an infectious smile and loved to laugh which endeared him to us all. He was a sports enthusiast, having played little league baseball and run cross country for the School for the Deaf. He especially loved baseball and hockey and avidly followed both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia teams. He had an uncanny ability to know the ages and birthdates of his family members and delighted in reminding his relatives how old they were getting. 

Surviving are siblings Laura Acquaviva, Christopher Acquaviva and his wife Melissa, Michael Acquaviva and his wife Lauren, Catherine Acquaviva and her partner Jon Eiswerth; his paternal grandmother Laura Acquaviva; nephews Matt Morris, Luca and Mattie Acquaviva; nieces Farynn and Maris Acquaviva; a great aunt Nan McNulty; aunts and uncles; cousins; friends and caregivers.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Francis and Alice McNulty Hennigan, paternal grandfather Anthony Acquaviva, and an uncle Patrick F. Gerrity.

The family would like to thank Pathways of SWPA for the dedicated care given to Joseph during his stay with them.

A celebration of Joseph’s life will be held Wednesday June 8th at noon at the Pathways of SWPA Adult Training Facility, 655 Jefferson Ave., Washington, PA 15301.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated July 9th at 10am in the Immaculate Conception Church 801 Taylor Ave. Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly encourages memorial contributions be made in Joseph’s honor to the Pathways of SWPA Foundation, 655 Jefferson Ave. Washington, PA 15301.

Arrangements have been entrusted to and are under the care and direction of the Vanston and James Funeral Home, Scranton, PA.

To share a memory or to leave a condolence please visit www.vanstonandjames.com.

 

6 Comments

  1. Pam Jones

    Offering my condolences to Tony and Mary Alice. Joe was a pleasure to be around with his great but ornery smile that told me that he knew something I didn’t. I can’t count the times that I requested him to sign various forms throughout the time he was here and he would write someone else’s name and laugh. I would have to go and reprint the form and start over. I finally learned to print several copies just in case he wanted to be someone else that day. His love for sports was well-known. I am so glad I had the opportunity to know Joe for the past few years! Prayers for peace and comfort.

  2. Jennifer Scott

    I can’t express how much of an honor it was to know Joe. He taught me so much. He taught me how funny even the smallest things in life can be, he taught me ASL, he showed me what being tough really means by watching how great he was despite all he worked to overcome throughout the years, and most of all he taught me how to be a friend because once he knew you his huge heart made him care so much and he was truly dedicated to all of his favorite people. Thank you to Joe for all he gave me through allowing me to be a part of his life, and to his parents for the honor of having him be part of my life when I was at Pathways and continuing after I left. His smiles and hugs, and ornery laugh, will be missed always but they will also be fondly remembered by all who had the opportunity to truly know him. You just can’t think of Joe without smiling. 🙂

  3. Jennifer Wylie

    Joe will be sadly missed by so many people! His laughter could brighten up the darkest moment! I’m a better person today for having the honor of knowing him and I was privileged to be able to call him my friend! I will hold my memories of Joe dear to my heart! As I’m typing this I can see joe putting his finger to his mouth telling me it’s time for me to be quiet! Rest in peace my friend!

  4. Ashley Burnsworth

    It was a honor to me to work with Joe. He made my day every morning that he walked into the ATF, he had a smile that touched your heart and a thumbs up that came along. He had a personality that was out of this world and his own style of sign language. My condolence are with his family and friends. He will be truly missed!

  5. Barbara Berdine

    Thoughts and Prayers for Joe’s family. He will be missed by everyone here at Pathways. He was so expressive of his feelings, you knew when he was happy by his amazing laugh that would always bring a smile to my face even if I just heard it while passing in the hallway by the ATF room, or when he was not having what you were trying to get him to do, he would look at you, give a slight shake of his head and wave you away. He had a handshake sometimes when greeting you that I would always mess up and he would just smile at me indulgently. My heart is full of so many memories and it breaks that I will no longer be able to see his light that brightened my day.

  6. Marla Zavada

    Dear Tony Mary Alice,and family,so very sorry for your loss..prayers and hugs are sent to you.

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