Joseph John Fayocavitz, Sr.

Joseph John Fayocavitz, Sr., 91, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Born in Taylor, PA, on November 29, 1932, to Edward and Anna (Samsak) Fayocavitz, Joe had an unstoppable spirit and a positive outlook on life and left an impression on everyone he met, always pitching in to help on any project. He loved his family above all else and sports of every kind, and never forgot his Polish-American roots.

In his youth, Joe's family moved to Ransom, PA, where he would tend to the farm and cows and listen to Yankees games on the radio, diligently recording box scores. He attended Newton-Ransom High School, where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America and a multi-sport athlete. As a forward on the basketball team, he was selected for the 1950 Northern Suburban Dream Game, and as a third baseman and pitcher on the baseball team, he led them to a District XII PIAA Championship in 1949. Joe was encouraged by his coach to try out for the Yankees AAA team, but when the tryouts were rained out, he went home to help on the farm. His love for the game and the Yankees remained, and he'd say, "I'd rather play ball than eat."

Joe graduated from high school in 1950 and joined the Ransom Town Team, proclaimed the "Wonder Team of Amateurs" after 28 straight wins. He then spent two years in the Navy from 1955-1957, proudly serving as a Navy Seaman at Pamona Naval Air Station in Atlantic City, NJ, and playing on the Navy Softball Fastpitch team, and remained in the Naval Reserve until 1961.

Joe met Phyllis Jean Winters at the roller skating rink in Falls, PA, and knew instantly she'd be his wife. They married on June 30, 1963, and had four children he adored: Susan, Joseph, Jr., David, and Jennifer. He pursued construction and machining in his career, working at Ayers Construction, Cincinnati Galvanizing, McGregor Iron, and Wyoming Sand & Stone, retiring as a Foreman at age 62.

Joe was a member of the Countryside Community Church (formerly Ransom United Methodist) for 61 years, and an active charter member and past President of the Ransom Lions Club. He was instrumental in building the Ransom Ball Field Pavilion and cut the grass there for decades. For the last twenty years, Joe and Phyllis wintered in Largo, FL, where they met great friends.

Joe also took up bowling and qualified for the Strikes for Cash show in the early 1960s, won the "King of the Hill" tournament, and achieved two 300-point ABC-sanctioned games in the early 1970s. Later in life, he found golf and organized yearly trips with friends. Joe hit his first ace at Shadowbrook in 1988 and later landed two aces during a single match at the Buckhill Golf Club in 1999.

His legacy is his love. His beloved spouse of 61 years and generations of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids always knew that he thought the world of them. Na Zdrowie to your life well lived!

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Anna, brothers Walter, John (Jake), and Robert, and sister, Delores.

Surviving are his wife Phyllis, daughter Susan Youtz and husband Keith, Clarks Summit, PA; son Joseph Fayocavitz, Jr. and Geralyn, Clarks Summit, PA; son David Fayocavitz and wife Jennifer, Lafayette Hill, PA; daughter Jennifer Porter and husband Scott, Narrowsburg, NY; grandchildren Cory, Chelsea, Alexandra, Emma, Madelyn, Andrew, Peyton, Agnes, Clare, and William; three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Jack, and Gabriel; many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, too numerous to mention.

The family would like to thank his medical care team over the last thirty years and the caring staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 1 pm - 3 pm at Countryside Community Church, Clarks Summit (Newton Township), PA. Church service will follow at 3 pm.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Dr, Ste 108 Moosic, PA 18507, or Countryside Community Church, 14011 Orchard Dr, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.