It is with profound sadness that the family of Joseph A. Kaub announce that the life journey of our Patriarch has ended. Through an intensely difficult and unforgiving illness, he stayed brave and strong, refusing to surrender his fight.
Joseph passed away Sunday evening, Nov. 6, 2022, at Allied Services Hospice Center surrounded by his children.
Joseph, a lifelong resident of South Scranton for 89 years, was the son of Joseph J. and Catherine Jordan Kaub.
He attended Scranton Technical High School and joined the United States Army as soon as he was eligible to enlist. A decorated Korean War veteran, Joseph was granted a Meritorious Unit Citation and was awarded with the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Following return home from the war Joseph was a career firefighter for the City of Scranton and completed his service to his hometown as Fire Prevention Officer for Scranton until his retirement. Additionally, Joseph was a 33-year member of the local #60 IAFF, 60-year member of the German American Association and charter member of Post 948 American Legion.
When he wasn't on duty keeping the city free from danger, Joseph focused on his family and home. He was a devoted father who spent his whole life making sure that his own children were safe and loved. He was strict to follow his schedules and routines and rarely waivered those plans. Sundays were usually spent having tea with his sister and also completing his daily "rounds" in the neighborhood to make sure that all those people that were dear to him were well. He also intensely enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them little life lessons along the way. The little ones knew he always had rolls of "Smarties" tucked in his shirt pocket to share for the asking. The fondest memories of all were each Christmas Day. Dad would gather the children to sit around him in his rocking chair and read to them a letter "sent" to him by Santa Claus. The children sat wide eyed and mesmerized by the personalized letter that chronicled Joe's and the children's year from Santa's point of view. The letters always ended the same way; with Santa reminding Joe how lucky he was to have such fine children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His eyes would well up with tears of gratitude and you could hear his voice quiver as he reached for his handkerchief to wipe the tears before anyone saw. How truly the family was blessed to witness this happiness.
He loved the outdoors. At home he tended his garden in the summer with perfectly grown flowers; lilacs and dahlias among many others. Vegetables and particularly his heirloom tomatoes were another pride and joy and he was thrilled to share his harvest with as many friends as possible. Additionally, he was an avid hunter and fisherman for many years. He found great joy teaching the little ones to fish; went on many fishing trips to the lake and the kids were ecstatic to go on grandpa's boat. Colder weather drew him out to the country to deer hunt with his brother-in-law, nieces and nephew.
Joseph is survived by four daughters, Joan Bartley, Mary Lynn Hopkins and Pattie Shields, all of Scranton; and Laurie Blake, Avoca; two sons, Joseph (Maureen) and Michael (Kathleen), both of Scranton; son-in-law, Matt Madorsky, Newark; 22 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Kitty Fisch (Donald), Scranton; and Teresa Ehler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joseph was also preceded in death by his youngest child, son, Thomas Kaub; and two sisters, Marjory Nawrocki and Connie Walton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 1217 Prospect Ave., Scranton. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Oram Street, Scranton.
Friends may call Sunday, Nov. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Neil W. Regan Funeral Home, 1900 Pittston Ave. In lieu of flowers, a tribute gift in Joseph's honor may be made to the Scranton Fire Fighters Local #60 Honor Guard. To email condolences, please visit the funeral home website.