Joseph (Beansy) Aversa, age 87, a lifelong resident of Old Forge, passed away Wednesday morning after a three-week stay at Hospice Community Care in Dunmore. He is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Rybitski Aversa. Wed on September 25, 1954, the couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary next year. Born on May 28, 1925, son of the late Anthony and Theresa Gentile Aversa, Joseph was educated in Old Forge Schools before honorably serving in the United States Army. For nearly 50 years prior to his retirement, he worked as a break repairman for the Pagnotti Coal Company. He also worked for almost 20 years as a ticket salesman at Pocono Downs. He loved horse racing as he enjoyed spending time at the race track with his friends. Dating back to his youth, he was active in Old Forge Blue Devils youth athletics, coaching many teams; umpiring many games; and rooting on many athletes. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed fishing and watching New York Yankees baseball but his favorite pastime came with watching his children and grandchildren play sports. Of Roman Catholic faith, he was a longtime member of Prince of Peace Parish in Old Forge. A kind and soft-spoken man who will never be forgotten, Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He is survived by his eight children, five sons, Anthony J. Aversa and wife Colleen of New Hampshire; Joseph J. Aversa and wife Sandra of Philadelphia; Martin J. Aversa and Matthew J. Aversa, both of Dingmans Ferry; Michael J. Aversa and wife Molly of Old Forge; and three daughters, Elizabeth M. Hochreiter and husband Neil of Old Forge, Christine M. Comerford and husband Joseph of New Jersey; and Rene S. Aversa-Heeley of New York; his siblings, two brothers, Gregg Aversa and wife Bette of Camp Hill, and James Aversa of Old Forge, and two sisters, Ann Calabrese of New York, and Rosemarie Brown of Camp Hill; thirteen grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A brother, Ross Aversa, a sister, Marie Tomasetti, and a son-in-law, Keith Heeley, also preceded him in death. Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Saturday at 9:15AM from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, with a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Prince of Peace Parish, Old Forge, to be celebrated by Rev. Louis T. Kaminski, Pastor. Interment will follow at the Old Forge Cemetery. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Friday between 4-8:00PM at the funeral home. In appreciation of the H.C.C. staff's exceptional care for Joseph through his stay with them, memorial contributions may be made in Joseph's name to Hospice Community Care's Memorial Fund, 100 William Street in Dunmore, 18510.
Published by Kearney Funeral Homes on May 1, 2013.