NEW YORK — Deacon Joseph H. Mack passed away peacefully March 22, 2020, in Macedon, N.Y., with his family.
Deacon Joseph was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on Jan. 18, 1925. He grew up in Endicott, N.Y. After graduating from Union Endicott High School in 1942, he was hired by IBM as a machinist.
In 1943 he joined the Army and served with the 28th Infantry division, 112th Regiment, Company K, and was part of the second wave into Normandy arriving on Omaha Beach. The 112th Infantry fought through the hedgerows of France and were part of the breakthrough that eventually liberated France. He was part of the famous parade through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Aug. 29, 1944. He continued combat fighting and participated in all five major battles of the Bulge including Hurtgen Forest, Germany and the Rhineland. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, European Campaign medal with Silver Star attachment, WWII Victory medal, Honorable Service lapel pin, Expert Badge for Bayonet and Rifle, Sharpshooter badge for Carbine and Grenade and most recently the French Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
After the war, Deacon Joseph went back to working at IBM, attended business school and became manager. At IBM he met his beautiful wife Helen, who was working there as an industrial nurse. In October 1946 they wed, and they were blessed with six children.
Deacon Joseph worked for IBM for over 40 years. After retiring, he entered the Permanent Deacon program and was ordained in the first class of deacons for the Diocese of Charlotte on May 29, 1983. In his words: “I served my country, I served my family and I am now serving God.”
He was assigned to St. John Neumann Parish in Charlotte, where he served faithfully for 21 years with his wife Helen. He retired in 2000 but remained active until 2004. He always served the needs of parishioners and his ministry extended into the Charlotte community.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen. He is survived by his children, Catherine (Richard) Wilson, Dr. Daniel (Kim) Mack, Thomas (Vivian) Mack, Barbara Perkins, Mary (Ron) Darcangelo and Sharon Cooper; and his loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, a celebration of Deacon Joseph’s life will be held at a later date with memorial calling hours and a Memorial Mass. Entombment with his wife Helen will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Rochester.
Expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to St. Peter’s Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 11031 and 681 Brown St., Rochester, NY 14611. To light a candle, leave a condolence, or upload a photo, go to www.murphyfuneralservices.com.
— Catholic News Herald