Joseph Shenko passed away peacefully on Friday October 26, 2018 at the age of 70. He is survived by his loving wife of over 30 years, Karen; his children Joseph (Suzanne), Alex DiTullio (Hillary), Amy Daniels, and Lauren Skala. Proud Grampop to Anjolina and Ryan Shenko. Missed dearly by his mother-in-law, Elmira Kerrigan, his sisters-in-law, Kathy Nicolosi (Alfio) and Mary Savinon (Chuck), his brother-in-law, Fran Kerrigan, and special friend, Faye Ingram. Joe was predeceased by his father Joseph, mother Florence (Grey), and sister Sally.

Joe was a quiet kid from Fishtown when he was drafted into the US Army 2nd Battalion 8th Infantry Division as a PVT E-1 and served in Viet Nam from January 1968 until December 1969. He was honorably discharged as a SSG (T) E-8. Despite returning to a less than grateful nation, Joe never wavered in his belief that his service might, in some small way, prevent other generations of young men and women from enduring the same fate. He followed his sense of duty and then quietly lived with the consequences the rest of his life.

Perhaps Joe's greatest sense of pride and accomplishment came from his almost 40 years as a Philadelphia Firefighter. It was with the fire department that Joe found his true calling in life. The firehouse was his home, every firefighter his family. Being a fireman is not what Joe did, it is who Joe was. None can question his devotion to tradition, his loyalty, or his work ethic. He loved every minute of it and was grateful for having had the chance to do something he loved for so much of his life.

After his retirement Joe fulfilled his dream of never having to shovel snow again and being a beach bum. He and Karen moved to Myrtle Beach, SC, where they lived happily and gratefully for 12 years before returning home to the family he loved so much just 18 months ago.

On Thursday, Nov. 1st, Joe's family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8:30 PM at James J. McGhee Funeral Home, 690 Belmont Ave, Southampton, PA. A private interment with military honors at Washington Crossing National Cemetery will be held the following day. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joe's name be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association: 912 Killian Hill Rd SW, Lilburn, GA 30047. Condolences may be sent to the Shenko family by visiting www.McGheeFuneralHome.com .

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