Joseph (Joe) John Vella, age 82, longtime resident of North East died on Wednesday May 9, 2007 in Mayville, Tennessee. He was born on May 23, 1924 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to the late Ignazio and Josephine Pace Vella. He was a veteran of WWII serving the United States Navy as a SV-6 Electrician. He was formerly employed as a electrician for 40 years at General Electric Co. where he was a member of the General Electric Quarter Century Club. He was a member of St. Gregory Catholic Church in North East. He was a member of North East American Legion Post 105, Loyal Order of Moose, Knights of Columbus, Brotherhood of St. Joseph. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Wanda M. Swierkowski Vella (January 10, 2003); brothers Salvatore Vella and Frank Vella; a sister Livia Tuttoilmondo. He is survived by daughters Josephine (Joan) Lynch and her husband Dwayne of North East, Susan (Suzi) DeJesus and her husband Victor M. Sr. of the Village of Palmetto Bay, Fla., Louise Wells and her husband Doni of Mayville, Tenn.; sisters Mary Doyle of North East, Madeline Lawrence and her husband Walter of Erie; Joann Kaufmann and her husband Charles of Elyria, Ohio; brothers Peter Vella and his wife Frances of North East, Harry Vella of North East; grandchildren Donna Ekstrom, Jonathan Lynch, John Sidlinger, Tammy Drayer, Victor DeJesus, Sarah Wells; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the William D. Elkin Funeral Home 65 South Lake Street North East on Friday 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a prayer service on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. from St. Gregory Catholic Church. Interment St. Gregory Cemetery with full military honors. Sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits

Erie Times-News (PA) - Thursday, May 10, 2007