Joseph D. Zavarick, 83, of Mount Carmel, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 4th, 2023.

He was born in Locust Gap on June 19th, 1940, the son of the late Joseph and Catherine (Sebastian) Zavarick.

Joe graduated from Mount Carmel High School in 1958. He then began his US Naval career as a radioman, which would take him on tours in Ireland, Norfolk, Ethiopia, Africa, Oxon Hill, MD, and his final tour of duty at the Pentagon while living on Andrews AFB in MD. He retired as a Navy Chief in 1975. Joe enjoyed the life the Navy provided, and he especially loved his two tours in Ethiopia, Africa. He coached and led the US Navy basketball team to multiple playoff trips to compete against the best service teams in Europe.

Joe was an outstanding third baseman (softball) and defensive end (flag football). He enjoyed bowling and playing golf. He coached his son's youth baseball, basketball, and football teams over the years, winning multiple championships. He was a dedicated father and an avid fan of the MCA teams his sons played for, and he never missed a game. He spent winters in Florida with his wife Joyce, playing golf with retired military friends and going to the beach. When back in Mount Carmel, he enjoyed playing cards with the guys at Shicky's, having breakfast at Kerpy's, playing in the Tornado Open, and playing with the family dogs Mutley, Brandy, Jingles, and Max. He was blessed by the amazing care given to him and Joyce by Jill, Jacob, and Jeffrey Gilotti, often saying they were angels sent from above.

Joe was a member of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Joyce (Galley) Zavarick, in April of this year.

Survivors include four children, Robert Zavarick and his companion, Linda McQuoid of Palmyra, NJ, Michael Zavarick and his wife, Angie of Tennessee, Jill Gilotti and her husband, Jeffrey of Kulpmont, and Joseph Zavarick of Arizona; three grandchildren, Parker Zavarick of Tennessee, Jacob Gilotti of Kulpmont, and Sierra Zavarick of Arizona; four step-sons, Bryan Trent and his wife, Kerry, Andy Trent and his wife, Carolyn, Jeffrey Chesney and his wife, Rachel, and John Allen Chesney and his wife, Mary Ellen; one step-daughter, Jennifer Koveleskie; ten step-grandchildren, Karissa, Bryan Jr., Kaitlyn, Lydia, Justin, Nicholas, Derek, Rachel, Aaron, and Hannah.

Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 12 at 12 p.m. with Father Francis Karwacki as celebrant in the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 47 S. Market St., Mt Carmel. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg. Viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m., with Transferal Prayers at 11 a.m. in the C. J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 27 N. Vine St., Mt Carmel, PA 17851, C. J. Lucas IV Supervisor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Carmel High School Athletic Department, in care of the Mt. Carmel Athletic Director, 600 W 5th St, Mt Carmel, PA 17851, and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway #1509, New York, NY 10018.