Joseph J. Lafko

Joseph James Lafko age 86, passed away January 31, 2022 with his loving family at his side.  Born April 16, 1935 in Perryopolis PA.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph John Lafko, Anna Marie Stihel Lafko and infant brother Lawrence.  A life long resident of Perryopolis PA, he was a member St. John's RC Church Perryopolis, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, 4427, Slovak Catholic Sokol, and a lifetime member of the Retired Teachers Association.  He was employed as an educator and coach for Frazier School District for 40 years teaching Social Studies and coaching boys basketball and girls softball. He was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Harold Standard 1995-96.   He served in the Army and Air Force Reserves for 7 years.  Joe's greatest joy came from watching and encouraging his children and grandchildren to pursue their professional, creative, and athletic passions.  He also enjoyed playing cards, gardening, canning his own fruits and vegetables, bowling, fishing, and making homemade root beer.

He is survived by his loving wife Bernadine Herchko Lafko to whom he was married for 58 years, three children; Joseph R. Lafko and wife Shannon, Gibsonia, PA, Valerie Lafko Eiben and husband Kevin, Jefferson, MD, Matthew Lafko and wife Candy, Tarentum, PA; seven grandchildren Nathaniel Eiben, Nicole Eiben Schneider and husband Sam, Joseph Ryan Lafko, Alex Eiben, Jenna Lafko, Bethany Lafko, and Christina Lafko, brother Albert Lafko and sister-in-law Patricia, Denver CO, sister-in-law Julia Goretsky, many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Parzynski Funeral Home & Cremations LLC, Family Owned and Operated, 191 Liberty St. Perryopolis, PA 724-736-2515.  Prayers of Transfer will be held Friday at 10:00 AM in the funeral home followed by funeral mass at 10:30 AM at St. John The Baptist RC Church with the Rev. Rodolfo Mejia as celebrant.  Interment will take place in St. John The Baptist RC Cemetery.  Members of St. John the Baptist parish will pray the rosary Thursday at 3 PM and the Perryopolis Knights of Columbus Council 4427 will conduct services at 7 PM both in the funeral home.  The Family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Joseph James Lafko to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration Foundation (www.theaftd.org).  Condolences accepted at the funeral home’s website, www.parzynskifuneralhome.com