Joseph G. Sharkan

Joseph G. Sharkan, 83, retired, US Army Veteran of the European and Far East Theaters, dutiful son of the late William and Theresa Sharkan and beloved husband of Marcella O'Donnell Sharkan passed away on June 10th. Devoted and loving father of three children, Susan Sharkan Abud, William G. Sharkan and Joseph W. Sharkan, Joe was a self made entrepreneur, talented and with a gifted memory. Joe was one of a kind: he owned several businesses in the Lehigh Valley and York, PA which including Sharkan Supply; Pennsylvania Perlite Corporation; Pennsylvania Perlite Corporation of York; and Sharkan Realty. In the Perlite industry, he was a relentless promoter and developer in the advancement of Perlite for horticultural applications, cryogenic insulation and insulation and in its initial stages uses of Perlite in the space program during the tests of the first Lunar Landing vehicle during the Apollo Project. He was responsible for the very first oil cleanups in US territory in the island of Puerto Rico in the seventies using Perlite. Joe attended Moravian College and was a member of St. John's Windish Lutheran Church in Bethlehem.

He was a visionary in his own right never stopping to pursue new frontiers in every endeavor that he undertook. Joseph experienced many exciting challenges in life and lived every day with "gusto". He had multiple interests which included photography, reading, gardening and he always envisioned a bright outlook for the future. He loved history and he traveled extensively around the world, which many times took him back to his Slovenia's roots, bringing his children along to open their eyes to the world.

With wit and humor and great appreciation for life, he had many talents. Also, he was a good husband, father, grandfather, builder, businessman, animal lover, story teller, and above all he had great compassion for all living things.

In addition to his wife and children, he leaves behind a loving family which includes his son-in-law and business partner Jos A. Abud, daughter-in-law Marian Sharkan, grandchildren Ariana, Sophia, Aaron, Isaac, Noah, Adam, Sarah, and great grandchildren Evelyn, Zoe, Lily, brother Dr. William W. Sharkan and his late sister Leona Sharkan-Huecz and nieces and nephews.

No one will ever fill the void he left. He will always be in all our hearts and memories.

A viewing will be held on Sunday June 14, 2009 at Connell Funeral Home 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 from 6-9 PM. Internment services will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Joseph's name to Northampton County SPCA Tumble Creek Rd. Easton, PA 18045 or Animals in Distress P.O. Box 609 Coopersburg, PA 18036 or to the World Wildlife Fund 1250 24th St. Northwest P.O. Box 97180 Washington D.C. 20090-7180.