Joseph Terry

Joseph Terry, 83, of Scott Township died on Saturday at Northeastern Veterans’ Center, Scranton. His wife is the former Lottie Zalopa. They would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in November. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother who was very generous, especially to his grandchildren.

Born in Olyphant, son of the late John & Anna Kowalchick Terry, he moved to Scott Twp. 45 years ago. He was a lifelong member of Ss. Cyril & Methodius Church, Olyphant and a graduate of Olyphant H.S. class of 1934, where he was the captain of the baseball and basketball teams.

He graduated from East Stroudsburg State Teachers College and attended the University of Scranton for graduate courses. In 1949 he received a teaching and coaching position at Scott Twp. H.S. When Lakeland School District came into being, he was their athletic director for 6 years and introduced football into the program. He gave them over 38 ½ years of service as a teacher and coach. He was a PA Assn. of School Retirees member.

Because of his selfless dedication to the youth of his community, the township dedicated the former Scott Twp. H.S. building to him in 1983 and named it the Joe Terry Civic Center. Mr. Terry was very active in many sports. He played with the Junior American Legion baseball team and the Mid-Valley Commercial Basketball League. He coached Little League for 15 years and basketball and baseball for 18 years. He was also coach of the American Legion baseball team in Olyphant. He organized and founded girls’ scholastic basketball in the county, and also organized the Lackawanna Scholastic Golf League and was its president for 6 years. He was an Interscholastic Athletic Assn. Basketball official for 7 years. He was the dean of area golf tournament directors for over 25 years. Mr. Terry was elected to the Chic Feldman Sports Hall of Fame and the Northeast Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame. Because of his community involvement he was written up in the Scranton papers numerous times.

Mr. Terry was an Army Veteran of WW II having fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded several medals including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. When the war ended in 1945, he was coach of the 335th Regimental Infantry basketball and softball teams in Germany. He was a member of American Legion, Raymond Henry Post 327, Olyphant and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Shopa-Davey Post No. 6082, Peckville. He was also a charter and former member of the Scott Twp. Lions Club where he served as secretary for 4 years.

He is also survived by 2 daughters, Dr. Carole Gelker of Santa Ana, California and Judith Norris of Wethersfield, Connecticut; one brother, Buddy Terry of Scott Twp.; one sister, Olivia Carozzi of Scranton; 4 grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Theresa Sinclair and a brother, Michael Terry.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at the Hudak-O’Shea Funeral Home, 115 Garfield Avenue, Olyphant. Divine Liturgy will follow at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Greek Catholic Church, River St., Olyphant. Burial will be in the parish cemetery in Peckville.
The American Legion, Raymond Henry Post 327 will hold services the morning of the funeral. Time to be announced.

Friends may call on Tuesday at 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 PM at the funeral home. Parastas will be held at 7PM.