Joe Prati, 70, of Fallowfield Twp. passed away quietly at home on September 5, 2018. Born in North Charleroi on February 23, 1948 he was the son of the late Rita Prati Frantz and the son-in-law of the late Joseph and Julia Shoemaker.
He attended St. Jerome School and graduated from the 1966 class of Charleroi High School. Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force and served active duty from 1967-1971. He was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi for a year and then served three years in Chicksands, England as a Top Secret Crypto Analyst.
While in England he played for the RAF Chicksands Fighting Chicks soccer team. After the service he worked at the Allenport plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel until 1984. He then attended CCAC and graduated at the top of the class in computer repair.
He then managed and later owned Kaye’s Lounge in West Elizabeth. Joe was a PIAA High School Girls Softball umpire for 35 years and a PIAA High School Girls Volleyball Referee for 10 years. He had also umpired girls youth softball.
He coached the Dunlevy Redbirds Under 18 men’s soccer team during the early1970’s and went on to coach Fallowfield Township Athletic Association teams of Under 8 youth soccer and Under 8 and Under 10 girls softball teams. Joe was the Assistant Coach of the Charleroi Area High School’s Girls soccer team from 1996-2005. Joe’s favorite hobby was playing golf.
He played in two leagues and enjoyed playing with his friends every chance he got. He also enjoyed spending time with his wife and daughter. He was a member of Mary, Mother of the Church serving as usher at the 9:00 mass.
Through the church he also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, served on the Arts and Environment committee and worked at the fish and spaghetti dinners. Joe is survived by his wife, Claire. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on June 16th.
Also surviving is his daughter, Jodi Gallegos and husband Mark, of San Pedro, California; brother, Tom Frantz and wife Donna, of Charleroi; two godchildren, Hunter and Tylie Perok, of Coal Center; uncle Arthur and Deb Prati of Apollo,PA. ; and numerous cousins and friends. The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice and wonderful friends that were supportive during such a difficult time.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, September 10, in the CARL J. SPALLINO FUNERAL HOME, 819 Fallowfield Ave. , Charleroi, Joseph A. Lopez, funeral director. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, in Mary, Mother of the Church, Charleroi, with interment following in Grandview Cemetery, Monessen.
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