Joseph Walter Barauskas Jr.

Joseph W. Barauskas Jr. (Joe B.), 78 of Acme, Pa. Passed away peacefully the morning of February 7, 2026. Joseph was predeceased by his loving wife Marcia on January 29, 2026. He is survived by his two cherished sons, Jake, Chad and his wife AnnaBeth and his granddaughters Charlotte and Lily, sister Diana (Barauskas) Rizzuto and her husband Frank Rizzuto, nieces Helena Rizzuto, Karen (Rizzuto) Alonge and husband Phillip. Joseph was born October 21, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Joseph W. Barauskas Sr. and Helen (Smetona) Barauskas. He attended St. Ann Elementary school and graduated from St. John’s Preparatory High School in 1965 where he recently joined fellow students for a 60-year reunion. After high school Joseph attended California State College, California, Pa., where he earned degrees in Education. He was a passionate and dedicated teacher, a reading specialist, in the Hempfield School District. Joseph coached football and was an after-school tutor for students needing help. Joseph carried his love of teaching into his love of the outdoors. He was a member of the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited and generously gave his time to the teaching of fly tying and fishing in schools and also to wounded veterans through “Project Healing Waters”. Joseph supported many organizations. As a cancer survivor himself he supported the American Cancer Society, the Red Cross and UPMC Children’s Hospital. In Conservation he supported American Rivers, the Western Penna. Conservancy, the Audubon Society, and the Izaak Walton League. He loved Rock ‘n Roll music and generously donated to public supported radio. In particular Joseph loved arranging fishing trips with his friends to Erie and New York to fish for the migratory steelhead and lake run brown trout. Joseph surrounded himself with friends that he loved and was loved by them. Joseph loved everything “Pittsburgh” and when the Steelers made a touchdown, the Bear Rocks Community heard the loud ringing of the “touchdown bell” on his back porch. The bell of friendship will always ring for “Joe B”.

More details will be shared as plans for a Celebration of Life for Joe B & Marcia unfold; to be scheduled in July of 2026.

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