Mr. Joseph A. Sbaraglia, Jr., a life-long resident of South Philadelphia, passed away on Monday, February 19, 2019 at Pennsylvania Hospital. He was 79 years of age.
Affectionately known as "Joe Bag-Of-Donuts" Sbaraglia, Joe was an outgoing, friendly community oriented man who loved chronicling South Philadelphia's past by writing. Joe published his works in several books entitled "The Waffleman and Other Memories of South Philadelphia".
Joe graduated in 1957 from Southern High School. He enlisted and proudly served in the US Air Force for 20 years, including 3 tours in Vietnam, retiring as Chief Master Sergeant. He was active in the USAF Reserves for another 20 years. Prior to retirement, Joe was employed 25 years with Pennsylvania Bell Telephone as a Spliceman. Joe was active for many years with the Masonic Order, most recently with Saint John Lodge F&AM 115, Philadelphia.
Joe is the beloved husband of the late Kathleen L. (nee VanDressar); devoted father of Anthony (Kim) and Albert Sbaraglia and Robert McNamara (Andrea); dear sister of Bernice Blickley and the late Leo and the late Chili Sbaraglia (surviving, Jeannette); loving grandfather of Connor McNamara; special uncle of Marc Sbaraglia (Stephanie Lackhoff) and great uncle of Luca and Alexa Sbaraglia.
Relatives and friends may attend his viewing Thurs. 7-9 PM and Fri. 8:30-9:15 AM in the Vincent Gangemi Funeral Home, Inc., 2232-40 S. Broad St. (at Wolf), Philadelphia, PA.
Masonic and Eastern Star Service Thursday 8 PM at the Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass Fri. 10 AM in Annunciation BVM Church, 10th & Dickinson Sts., Philadelphia, PA
Entombment Fernwood Cemetery Mausoleum, Yeadon, PA.