Deacon Joseph C. Mell, 59, who was attached to Saint Nicholas Church here, fell asleep in the Lord suddenly on Saturday, January 19, 2013.
As a life-long member of Saint Nicholas Church, Deacon Joseph served the parish faithful. He held various positions on the parish council, in the Church school program, and in many ways unknown and unseen to most, in every instance working to support the Church and her faithful members. His ministry expanded with his ordination to the diaconate in 2004, after he successfully completed the Late Vocations Program of the Orthodox Church in America’s Archdiocese of Pittsburgh. Besides serving Saint Nicholas parish, he served in many neighboring parishes and was a member of the Pittsburgh Archdiocese’s Diocesan Council. He also was employed by AT&T, where he was very active in the local chapter of the CWA Union.
Deacon Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Matushka Nancy [Karavlan]; son Gregory Mell; sisters Leslie [James] Wokutch, Heidi [Larry] Meyers, and Rosemary [Steve] Homor; and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 20, at Saint Nicholas Church, 320 Munson Ave., McKees Rocks, PA. A Parastas will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.
On Monday, January 21, visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., resuming at 6:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, January 22, visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by the Divine Liturgy and Trisagion at 10:00 a.m. and interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A repast will follow at Saint Nicholas parish hall.
May Deacon Joseph’s memory be eternal!