Joseph McShane

Joseph L. McShane of Factoryville, formerly of Clarks Summit, passed away Sunday evening, January 13, 2013 peacefully surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the former Patricia McDonald, who was the love of his life and best friend.

He was born July 19, 1947, in Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, N.Y., and was immediately placed in the care of the Sisters of Mercy. Joseph lived among the Sisters of Mercy for many years. When Joseph spoke of the Sisters, he would be the first to tell you that they were the ones that instilled his "wacky" sense of humor. Several years later, the New York City Police Department complimented that great sense of humor by adding a bit of "salty language."

Joseph lived in a variety of foster homes and finally found peace when he went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Anglin. They provided him with love, necessary warmth, good food, a roof over his head and a fine education. Mr. and Mrs. Anglin will always be known to Joseph as "mom and dad."

After graduating from Martin Van Buren High School, Queens Village, N.Y., he entered the United States Army to fulfill his military obligation. It was there that he first encountered trouble with his hearing, which eventually became a lifelong process of acceptance. He served his country in Vietnam, and shortly after his honorable discharge in 1969, he began his career in law enforcement with the New York City Police Department, where he was an active police officer until his retirement in 1983.

Following his retirement, he spent four years with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections as a plumbing instructor. He also maintained his own plumbing practice. Joseph enjoyed his profession for many years and he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Joseph felt strongly that his greatest achievement was through the intercessions of Our Lady of Sorrows; it brought peace to his families.

He was a lifetime member of the New York City REMA, the New York City PBA, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 63 of NEPA, and the 10-13 Club of Northeast Palm Coast, Fla. He was also a member of Al-Anon for 27 years and owes a great deal of gratitude to each and everyone who attended these meetings. He will always be grateful for the people of Al-Anon. In the final analysis, Joseph lived an almost perfect, happy life. This was accomplished through the recovery of Al-Anon and the willingness to accept change and life on God's terms. Many who knew Joseph also knew of Fanci, his certified hearing service dog. They are now joyfully reunited together in heaven.

The family at this time would like to express gratitude to Dr. Marie J. Adajar of the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center; Dr. James Brady of Geisinger Wyoming Valley; and the Hospice of Sacred Heart. Joseph was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather (known as 'Poppy Joe') who will be deeply missed. His acts of kindness will be deeply missed but his memory will remain in our hearts.

Also surviving are his children: a daughter, Jennifer McShane-Heil and husband, John, Scranton; a son, Stephen McShane, Nutley, N.J.; his wife's four children, Jenifer Quinn Anhar and husband, Wilson, Bothell, Wash.; Moriah Quinn Peters and husband, William, Clarks Summit; Matthew Quinn and wife, Queen, New York City; and Erin Quinn Ware and husband, Edward, Factoryville; 11 grandchildren, Christian and Thomas McShane; Emma and Grace McShane-Heil; Quinn and Olivia Anhar; William Peters Jr., Kathryn Peters and Beau, Carson and Samuel Ware.

The funeral will be Saturday with Mass at noon at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Sum- mit, with military honors and an honor guard of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 63 of NEPA. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family in St. Joseph Cemetery, Scott Twp.

The family will receive relatives and friends Saturday at the church from 11 a.m. to noon and following the Mass in the Gathering Room at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catherine McAuley Center, 430 Pittston Ave., Scranton, PA 18505, www.catherinemcauleycenter.org; or for those that are dog lovers, Dogs for the Deaf, 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502, www.dogsforthedeaf.org.

Arrangements are being made by the Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, PA 18411.