Obituary of John Anthony Joseph

John Anthony Joseph, Sr., 76, of State College, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 18, 2018, surrounded by his family, at home. John was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania to George Joseph, Sr. and Anne Susko Joseph on May 30, 1942. He attended Monessen High School, graduating in 1961. John served in the Air Force from 1964-68, in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Minot, North Dakota. He continued on to the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, where he earned a degree in Landscape Architecture in 1975. Upon graduation, he began his career as a Landscape Architect in the Office of the Physical Plant at Penn State. In 1990 he was promoted to Senior Landscape Architect, and to Architect II in 2000, before retiring in 2003. He enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, traveling, working outdoors and on home improvement projects, and learning about nature and world history. His wife, sons, and grandchildren were the light of his life. His legacy of environmental preservation and his love of nature was evident in the many projects he spearheaded on the Penn State campus, including the Landmark Wall at Beaver Stadium, the Alumni Gardens, the Arboretum, the Creamery East and West Cafes, the entrance walls at Shortlidge and College Ave., the shepherd's crook lamps of the Old Main lawn, and many others. John is survived by his loving wife, Bernadette Furio Joseph; his son, John Anthony, Jr., and his wife, Bethany, of Germantown, Maryland; and his son, Brian Christopher, his wife, Megan, and their children, Elizabeth (Liza) and Peter Luke, of Cotuit, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his brother, George Joseph, Jr., and his wife, Alyce, of Monessen; his brother, Doctor Andrew Joseph, and his wife, Diane, of Pittsburgh; his sister, Sandra Cooper and her husband, Scott, of Charleroi; his sister, Cynthia Phillippi, of Belle Vernon; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father. A visitation will be held at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College, on Friday, August 24, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., with a memorial service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Family, friends, and former coworkers are encouraged to attend. Memorial donations may be made to The Arboretum at Penn State in John A. Joseph, Sr.'s name. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.