Obituary of Joseph Ralph Ornoski

Joseph ( Chuck ) Ornoski, 83, of Plains Township, passed peacefully on April 7, 2017, in his family home surround by all his family who were dear to him. Born in Plains, on February 21, 1934, he was a son of the late Alexander and Stella ( Kukla) Ornoski. Joe attended the local school and was a graduate of Plains Memorial High School, class of 1952. Upon graduation, Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force and served four years during the Korean Conflict. He participated in the Berlin Airlift during his time in Germany. For his service, Joe was awarded the Occupational Medal of Germany, and the National DefenseService Medal. He was honorably discharged as a Airmen First Class and returned home. Joe started to work for the Tobyhanna Army Depot in 1953. He worked for the Depot continuously for thirty-seven years and retired the Director of United States Army Communications. On October 15, 1960, Joe married the former Jean Slovinski. In the next fifty-six years of marriage, they raised two loving sons: Al and Mike. When Joe wasn’t at the Depot, you could find him fishing or hunting with his sons somewhere in the Wyoming Valley. When you saw Joe he was always wearing a hat of his favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees or football team, the New York Giants. Joe was a life member of the American Legion for the past sixty-two years, and a current member of Post 815, Wilkes-Barre Township. He was a proud member of the Henry Club and of the Polish American Veterans ( PAV), Plains. At the PAV, Joe was a member since 1950 and held every officer position over the years. The PAV held a special place in his heart. Joe is preceded in death by his parents Alexander and Stella (Kukla) Ornoski; and sister Theresa Ruskoski. Surviving Joe are his wife, Jean, at home; his granddaughters,” The light of his life”,Alexis and Jesse Ornoski; sons Al and his wife Lori and their children Stephanie, Jessica, and Jeffrey, Throop, Mike and his wife Tracy and their children Katie and Emily, Plains; brother Edward Ornoski, VA Hospital, Plains; nieces and nephews: Carrie: Jimmy: Jackie:Nancy: and Brian. In Chuck’s words, “ You all know who you are, thank you for the love and support you have given me in my time of need.” Funeral Service for Joe will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at 9:30 A.M. from the Yanaitis Funeral Home, 55 Stark Street, Plains. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. in the St. Benedict’s Church, Austin Ave, Wilkes-Barre. Rev Joseph Kearney, Pastor, and Rev. Scott Sterowski will be celebrants. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wyoming, with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the American Legion Post 815, Wilkes-Barre Township. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to a charity of your choice in Joe’s memory. For condolences for the family or for directions to service, please visit www.yanaitisfuneralhome.com