Stephen A. Moakley Jr. 90 of Rochester and formerly of Center Township passed away on Monday, September 26, 2022 at his daughter Lillian’s home who had been caring for him.
Raised in Langeloth (Washington County), he was a son of the late Stephen A. Sr. and Viola Mae
(Corfee) Moakley Tomasko. He was a 1949 graduate of Union High School, Burgettstown and later received a degree in business management form CCBC in 1989. Steve was a Korean War veteran having served in the U S Navy from 1949 until 1953 and earned an Electrical Engineering Certification while in the service.
Quite the athlete, Steve was a marathon runner who ran nine times in the Boston Marathon and a former member of the Beaver County YMCA Pacers. He had a keen interest in electronics and computers and was an avid reader, loved to play Scrabble and had a soft spot on his heart for animals. His children remember nature walks with their dad through the Jennings Environmental Reserve in Butler County. Steve and his first wife, Betty M. (Burns) Moakley were member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rochester where Steve served as an Elder, Deacon and sang in the choir.
Following Betty’s passing in 1993, Steve married the former Bertha DeFelice Buccini Martin in 1997 and joined St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Bertha predeceased him in 2021.
After retiring from LTV Steel’s Aliquippa works following 32 ½ years of employment, Steve gained employment with J & L Specialty Steel in Midland as a Technical Trainer. He was a former member of Union Local 1211 and the Monaca Turners.
He leaves four children: Sharon L Freeze of Pittsburgh, Margaret May Leonard and Lillian M Ruckert, both of Rochester and Stephen A Moakley III of New Castle. Eleven grandchildren: Anthony “Tony”, Christopher and Jeremy Hall, Elisabeth and Jack Harn, Chrystal Siget, Brian Wahl, Justin and Ashley Lennon, Vincent and Angelia Moakley. Twenty five great grandchildren. Two brothers: Stefan A Tomasko of E Rochester and Michael J Tomasko of Center Township.
In addition to his parents and two spouses, Steve was preceded in death by a daughter, Marsha L. Lennon in 2004, a sister, Mary Ann Whetsel and a brother, Joseph Tomasko.
Friends will be received on Thursday, September 29th from noon until 4 pm at SIMPSON FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, PA where a blessing service will be held on Friday at 11 am. Interment will follow with military honors in St John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. Monaca.
The family has suggested memorial contributions be made, if desired to Mary, Queen of Saints Parish (St John the Baptist Catholic Church), 1409 Pennsylvania Avenue, Monaca, PA 15061
To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit Steve’s permeant memorial site at simpsonfuneralhome.com.
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