Joseph M. Szabo

Joseph M. “Joe” Szabo, 84, of Lehigh County, passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at St. Lukes Hospice House in Bethlehem. He was the husband of Margaret A. (Salay) Szabo; they were married for 63 years on November 20th. Born July 20, 1933 in Hellertown, he was the son of Joseph Szabo, Sr. and Helen (Szabo) Szabo.

Joe graduated from Liberty High School in 1951. During the Korean War, he proudly served in the US Navy aboard the USS Harlan R. Dickson, DD-708. Joe graduated from Penn State in 1959 with an Associate degree in Electrical Engineering. Immediately upon graduation he was hired by AT&T Bell Laboratories in Allentown where he worked as a Senior Technology Associate. He served in Hanover Township, Lehigh County as Zoning Officer, Township Supervisor, and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. In 2011, he was inducted into The Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame of Lehigh County; a recognition for those who have consecutively voted in every election for over 50 years.

Joe had a love for woodworking, sailing, and cooking. He taught classes for making Kiffles and Pierogies at Northampton Community College for many years. His Kiffles were awarded the 2003 Blue Ribbon at the Allentown Fair.

Survivors: In addition to his wife, Margaret; daughter, Diane (Szabo) Backus and husband, Peter of Allentown, and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by brother, Zoltan, and sisters, Elizabeth Kovacs and Vilma Farkas, and nephew, Richard Kovacs.

Services: Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, December 9th 10am-12pm at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 with a service at 12pm and followed by interment at The Union Cemetery of Hellertown.

Contributions: May be made to the DD 708 Memorial Fund; Tin Can Sailors Assoc.; P.O. Box 100; Somerset, MA 02726, in memory of Joe Szabo.

Cemetery
Union Cemetery of Hellertown
89 Main Street
Hellertown PA 18055
US

Visitation
Saturday, December 9, 2017
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
The Connell Funeral Home
245 E. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Service
Saturday, December 9, 2017
12:00 PM
The Connell Funeral Home
245 E. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531