Joseph J. Reft, Jr.

Joseph J. Reft, Jr., 86, of Center Township, left this earth to be reunited with his wife and other departed loved ones early Thursday morning, January 5, 2017.Born April 18, 1930, in Rochester, he was a son of the late Joseph Sr. and Melvina (Haller) Reft.  Joe was united in marriage to the former Rosemarie Louise Ronghi on April 7, 1956.  She preceded him in death on September 5, 2007.Following graduation from Monaca High School, Class of 1948, he enlisted in the US Air Force and proudly served his country during the Korean War.  Joe was formerly employed at Koppers in Monaca and later at Pittsburgh Tube, Monaca, from where he retired.  He loved hunting and fishing, but mostly, spending many years vacationing at his second home at Belmar on the Allegheny River near Franklin.  That was where he had spent time teaching his sons the art of fishing, and passed on to them his love of the great outdoors.He leaves to mourn his loss three sons, Joe Reft and his wife, Jane, Steve Reft and his wife, Jan, and Paul Reft and his wife, Robin; four grandchildren, 2^nd Lt. Katherine Reft, USAF, Nick Reft, Sherry Wine and Charlie Riggle; a sister, Sara Alexander of Monaca; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ronghi; several nieces and nephews and his longtime friend, Werner Agner.In addition to his wife and parents, Joe was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Patsy Ronghi, in 2015.Friends will be received Monday, January 16^th, from 3 p.m. until the time of service at 6:30 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca.  A funeral service will be conducted by family friend, Rev. Carl Neely, followed by military honors provided by the US Air Force Honor Guard.Memorial donations in Joe’s memory may be made, if desired, to Kindred Hospice, 190 Bilmar Drive, Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to their father’s entire team from Kindred Hospice for the compassionate and loving care they provided Joe during his last months.To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.