PERMANENT DEACON JOSEPH R. UPCAVAGE

 1930 – 2017

Deacon Joseph R. Upcavage died on Thursday, December 21, 2017, from complications related to cancer and dementia.  Deacon Upcavage was ordained on June 2, 1996, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, by His Eminence, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.  He was assigned to Queen of the Universe Parish, where he remained until his retirement in 2010.  

Deacon Upcavage was 87 years old.  He was a retired information systems manager for Honeywell, Inc.  He was married to Anna (nee Tomko) for 61 years. Deacon Upcavage and his wife had three children: Richard, Joseph, and Theresa; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.  Deacon Upcavage was also a member of the Secular Franciscan Order.  He was predeceased by two younger brothers.

Deacon Upcavage was born in Philadelphia.  He was the oldest of three sons born to Joseph W. Upcavage and Anna Mary (nee Subach).  He was raised in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania (Schuylkill County), where he attended elementary and high school.  In 1952, he earned a BS in clinical psychology from Penn State University.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017, at Queen of the Universe Parish, 2443 Trenton Road, Levittown, beginning at 10:00 AM, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM.  The principal celebrant will be Reverend John C. Moloney.  Reverend Robert A. Pesarchick will concelebrate.  Interment will be at Saint Stephen’s Slovak Catholic Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.