Mr. Joseph Szewczyk, of Hughestown, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.

Born on December 3, 1946, in Pittston, he was the only son of the late Joseph L. and Mary Catherine Zambetti Szewczyk.

He was a graduate of Holy Rosary Elementary School, Duryea and a 1965 graduate of St. John's High School, Pittston.

Prior to college, Joseph served in Vietnam assigned aboard The U.S.S. Pollux and The U.S.S. Firedrake as Quartermaster 3rd Class Petty Officer. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1972.

He received a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Bloomsburg State College in 1974. While at Bloomsburg, fraternity affiliations include Kappa Delta PI and PHI Alpha Theta. He further pursued a master's degree in social studies, secondary education from Scranton University. In 1980 he was granted a certificate in elementary education from Marywood College. In 1994 he was awarded a Master of Science degree in theology from Marywood College.

He was an educator in the following schools, Pittston Area, Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18, Wyoming Area, Pennsbury School District, Bishop Hafey High School, Hazleton, Bishop O'Reilly High School, Kingston and Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre.

Joseph also worked as a salesclerk for the Jewelcor Store, Edwardsville.

Joseph was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Duryea active in the C.C.D. program and its adult choir.

Surviving are,
Cousins

Funeral and interment services will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 11:00 am in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Chittenden Street, Duryea with the Rev. Michael Bryant officiating. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the cemetery the morning of the funeral. There will be no viewing. A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 7:00 pm in Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea with the Rev. Michael Bryant officiating. Arrangements are by the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main Street, Duryea. To leave an online condolence for Joseph's family, please visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfueralhome.com.

PLEASE NOTE: YOUR ONLINE CONDOLENCE WILL NOT APPEAR UNDER THE GUESTBOOK ENTRIES UNTIL IT IS APPROVED BY THE FUNERAL HOME

Guestbook Entries

Rest in peace, Mr. Szewczyk. I was the rare student in college who immediately knew exactly what “metanoia” meant because of you. My theology class with you featured a few students who had troubled lives - who knows why - that was indicative in their difficult behavior, but you expressed such compassion for them. You knew that admonishing someone would never help, and that only love could help. Grateful to have crossed paths with you and learned from your kindness and wisdom.

Matt Kibildis (about 24 hours ago)

My Dear Friend for so many years , You will be greatly missed !! Rest in peace , in heaven .

Christine Oressey (2 days ago)

Will miss seeing you at Mass but will know you are there

Jean Cawley (2 days ago)

Joe..you will be greatly missed. You always made me laugh, without even trying. You were a good friend to me. Love you, "Decker"

Sue Decker (3 days ago)

You brought so much joy and laughter to us throughout the years. We will always remember your smile and all of your handsome jewelry! May you rest in peace.

Bruce & Jim McVey-Back (4 days ago)

Dear Joe, you have always been one of a kind. You brought so much happiness & joy to so many people. We had so much fun together. Rest in peace.

John & Betty Ann (4 days ago)

Rest peacefully in the arms of God

Holly carl (4 days ago)

Such great memories of Mr. Szewczyk's religion class at O'Reilly. He was always smiling, no matter when you passed him in the halls. I remember the enthusiasm he taught with. "Ruah!" He would shout, "the breath of God!" Which, of course, is what Ruah means. I know because he told me. I retained so much of that class because of his enthusiasm. Thank you so much, Mr. Szewczyk, for the kindness you showed your students. Your class was the one that we looked forward to everytime. I am sad to hear of your passing, but I know we will meet again in the Twilight Zone. Until then.

(4 days ago)

Mr Szewczyk, Thank you for being the wonderful man you are! You taught the best sophomore religion class when I was at BOR. Them when my son went to Holy Redeemer and he came home and told me he was in your class and chess club , I felt so excited for him and we would trade “Joe Szewczyk“ stories . May you rest in peace.

Heather Inman-Howe (4 days ago)

Rest in peace Joe. You were a wonderful neighbor and friend.

Mary Lizza Paglianite and family (5 days ago)

My Joey, I had no idea that our last 3 + hours on Friday would be our last time to talk, hold hands, talk to Connie together, be a bit silly, pray, smile, & laugh together, & talk to the doctor so that you could hear about your condition. The empty chair in my classroom will always make me sad as I will miss our times together during every school day that you subbed & waited for me at the end of the day to walk out with me. Joey, I know that energy cannot be created nor can it be destroyed; it only changes form. I know that you will always be with me, with my family, with your family, with all of your friends, with all those students you taught & with all the lives you’ve touched with your kindness, caring, generosity, & love. May you laugh with the angels & and rest in comfort in the arms of our Lord. God bless you, Joey, & thank you for being my good buddy & 4th brother! Your Mares, Medusa, & Lampshade, Mary Lampman

Mary Lampman (5 days ago)

Mr. Szewczyk's kindness, compassion and love for his students will go on forever. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Molly (Logan) Garavito (5 days ago)

He was the world's best Theology teacher I could have ever had! He made me love school. His electric personality lit up a room! He was one of a kind! He will be greatly missed. Up in heaven, say hi to dad for me.

Sydney "Squid" Smith-Senese (5 days ago)

Joe, May God welcome you with open arms. Joe was a colleague for decades, a respected teacher, and friend. May he rest in peace.

Anita Sirak (6 days ago)

Joe, Rest peacefully in the arms of God.

Joseph Andrews (6 days ago)

Rest in peace dear cousin. You were a good and honorable man.

Paul Sefjack (6 days ago)

Rest, now, Joe my good friend

John Long (6 days ago)

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