Joseph L. Tatko

Joseph L. Tatko, 91, of New Brighton , passed away on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2011 , at the Southwestern Veterans Center , Pittsburgh , of congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's.

Born June 24, 1920 in New Brighton , a son of the late Andrew and Ella Tatko, he was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving as a paratrooper during World War II. He had been a crane man at the former B&W Tubular Steel and a dairy farmer at the same time. However, farming was his passion and hard work was a big part of his life. He loved life and lived life to the fullest and often left an impression on people he met. He was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, New Brighton .

He was preceded in death by his wife, Julia E. Tatko; his son, Terrence R. Tatko; three brothers, Andy,

Michael and John Tatko and a sister, Wilma Jack.

Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Connie A. and James Bare, Pittsburgh, Marsha and Gerald Moore, Alexandria, VA; granddaughters, Caroline Bare, Glen Allen, VA, Meredith Bare, Arlington, VA; brother, Robert and his wife, Margie Tatko, New Brighton; sister, Ann "Toots" Blosser, Sumter, SC, and nieces, nephews and their families.

Friends will be received Monday evening from 6 to 8 in the J&J SPRATT FUNERAL HOME, 1612 Third Ave. , New Brighton , www.jjsprattfh.com , where prayer will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Holy Family Catholic Church, with the Rev. Fr. Tom Kredel officiating.

Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery , New Brighton .

The family wishes to give special thanks to Pittsburgh Southwestern Veterans Center and Odyssey Hospice's staffs for their care, dedication and compassion.

Members of the Beaver County Special Unit will meet 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the cemetery to provide military honors.