Joseph Canfield

Joseph "Joe" Canfield, of Dallas, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on May 12, 2017. Born on February 27, 1929, in Ashland, Pa., he was a son of the late James and Ellen (Foley) Canfield, and a 1946 graduate of Ashland High School, where he served as his class president for all four years.

Joe was inducted into the U.S. Army on February 19, 1951, and honorably served his country during the Korean War with the 101st Signal Battalion. Prior to his assignment in Korea, he was trained and served as an instructor at the Fort Monmouth Signal School. For his distinguished service, Joe was decorated with the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Army of Occupation Japan, Korean Service Medal, with One Bronze Service Star, and the Korean President Award.

Upon being honorably discharged, Joe returned to his previous employer, The Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. During his 35-year career in telephone service, he held various management positions in Harrisburg, Clearfield, Pottsville and Wilkes-Barre. After retiring from Bell in 1985, and until 1991, he was self-employed as a Telecom Consultant and Instructor, and was respected as a national expert in the early touch-tone dial system. His favorite work location was at the White House in Washington, D.C., during the Reagan administration.

Joe was committed to community service, and in honor of his 80th birthday, was presented the key to Dallas Borough in recognition of his leadership. For 50 years, he was a dedicated member of Gate of Heaven Church, serving as Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Funeral Altar Server Coordinator, past chairman of the Financial Council and many fund-raising activities. Joe was a Fourth Degree Honorary Life Member in the Bishop William J. Hafey Assembly and an Honorary Life Member in the Dallas Knights of Columbus. A Life Member of the Wilkes-Barre Telecom Pioneers, Joe served many years with the Talking Books for the Blind Repair Group, for which he received a President's Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama. Joe served his community for over 50 years with the Frackville (PA) and Dallas Lions Club, and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award, which is the highest form of recognition in International Lionism. Joe had also been a volunteer and blood donor with the American Red Cross.

Joe took great pleasure in tending to his home and garden. He will forever be remembered by his friends, family and neighbors for his great warmth and wit, caring and kind nature, generosity of spirit, contagious sense of humor and life-long devotion to family, church and community. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, he will be deeply missed by all whose lives he had touched in his journey through life.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, the former Margaret "Peg" Blum. He was preceded in death by his brother James. In addition to his loving and devoted wife, Peg, Joe is survived by his children Joe Jr. and his wife Tina (Suda), and granddaughter Amy of Columbia, S.C., grandson Atty. Joe III of Richmond, Va.; his daughter, Laura, of Langhorne, Pa., and his sister Mary Hank of Indianapolis, Ind. as well as several nieces and nephews whom he treasured and adored, including Anita Pearce (Norm), Erin and Jenna Maslowski, Bill Cuff (Corrine), Kate Clemente (Pat), Max Hank (Patricia) and Sgt, Robert Canfield.

Funeral will be held Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 10:30 am at Gate of Heaven Church, 40 Machell Ave, Dallas, with The Rev. Daniel Toomey, officiating. Interment will be in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas. Friends may call Tuesday, May 16, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 Pm at The Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas, and again Wednesday at Gate of Heaven Church from 9:30 Am until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gate of Heaven Church, c/o 40 Machell Ave., Dallas, Pa. 18612. The family wishes to thank Rev. Daniel Toomey, their wonderful Stonehedge neighbors and many, many caring friends.