Joseph “Parker” Podskoch, 83, a lifelong resident of Swoyersville, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, July 15, 2015, at Saint Luke’s Villa, Wilkes-Barre, where he was a guest for the past three weeks.

His beloved wife is Barbara A. (Hudak) Podskoch. Joe and Barbara celebrated their 62^nd wedding anniversary on January 3^rd.

Born on August 28, 1931, in Swoyersville, Joseph was the son of the late Stephen J. Podskoch Jr. and Elizabeth (Horvath) Podskoch.

Joe was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School, Class of 1948. Following high school, he went on to attend King’s College, Wilkes-Barre

A United States Navy veteran, Joe honorably served his country for two years during the Korean War, serving the majority of his enlisted time aboard the U.S.S. Robert L. Wilson.

Prior to his retirement, Joe was employed as salesman for many years.

An accomplished accordionist and entertainer, Joe had a great love and appreciation for music. Throughout his years, he played for countless weddings, parties, events, and most notably, for many celebrities.

A faithful Catholic, Joe was a lifelong member of the former Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, Swoyersville. Following the consolidation of his church, he became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Parish, Swoyersville.

Joe enjoyed watching sports, and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. He also had a great love for the ocean and an interest in politics, which he loved to discuss with others.

In addition to his parents, Stephen and Elizabeth Podskoch, Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond A. Podskoch.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, Joe is survived by his devoted children, Theresa Schaeffer and her husband, Bill, Swoyersville; Bill Podskoch, Swoyersville; Barbara Jo Asklar and her husband, Robert, Swoyersville; Michael Podskoch and his wife, Lynette, Dallas; Joseph Podskoch Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, Swoyersville; and Susan Podskoch, Kingston; his grandchildren, Bobby Asklar Jr. and his fiancé, Megan Herlihy; Michael Podskoch Jr., Jessica Podskoch, Rebecca Podskoch and Alyssa Podskoch; his nieces and nephews.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at 9:30 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Richard J. Cirba, family friend, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

Family and Friends are invited to call on Friday, July 17, 2015, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and again on Saturday morning, from 8:30 to 9:30 AM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send the Podskoch Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home web-site www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com

In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, or to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.