Trending
Joseph Anthony 'Joe' Traina
1962-2023
WELLSVILLE -- Joseph Anthony "Joe" Traina, 61, of Wellsville passed away surrounded by his loving family Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Calcutta Health Care Center following a two-year battle with cancer.
He was born Aug. 27, 1962, in East Liverpool, the son of John and Jean (Sullivan) Traina of Wellsville.
Joe graduated from Wellsville High School in 1980. He served his country and was stationed in England while enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1983 to 1987. Joe was employed with the Wellsville Local School District as the supervisor of buildings and grounds. He was proud of his community and was extremely active in many activities happening in Wellsville, most of the time behind-the-scenes or in a kitchen. Joe was always willing to lend his hand or cooking skills to help any organization, family or business in Wellsville. He could often be found in the kitchen at fundraiser events for the Care and Share Community Club, catering meals for the Quad County Coaches and Wellsville Athletic Hall of Fame events, and frying up the best fish in the tri-state area for the monthly fish fry at the SOI. He was also locally famous for his homemade raviolis, and during the pandemic, Joe personally delivered lunch to the businesses in Wellsville that remained open during the shutdowns. He was a lifetime member of the Wellsville Sons of Italy Lodge #657 and was currently serving as president. He was instrumental in organizing the annual Italian Fest, and he used his construction skills to completely remodel the SOI a few years ago. Joe was a gifted handyman and jack of all trades and used his skills to help anyone he could. He often left unfinished projects at his own home to be able to lend his talents to others. For all of these reasons and so many more, Joe was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award in 2015. He was Catholic by faith and a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church.
Joe was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and, of course, Wellsville Tigers. He was also a big fan of the Jerry Springer show and would chant "Jerry! Jerry!" with his kids, making sure the show was off before their mom got home from work. He was also well known for his ability to fall asleep any time, anywhere, even if in the middle of a conversation. Joe was a hard-working, fun-loving, always-there-for-anyone guy who will leave a void not only in the hearts of his family, but also in the Wellsville community.
In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Lori (Stanley) Traina, whom he married Nov. 24, 1984; his children, Allison (Johnny) Kazee of Wellsville, John (Jen) Traina of Tallmadge, Ohio, and Marie (Tyler) Martin of Wellsville; and his siblings, Alfonse Traina (Tina Allmon) of Wellsville, John (Kathy) Traina of Bay Village, Ohio, and Nancy (Kevin) Rawson of Lisbon. Also surviving are his seven grandchildren, whom he adored, Jonathan, Audrey and Jensen Kazee, Brooklyn and Vayda Jo Traina, and Ellie and Easton Martin; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Roberts Funeral Home, 631 Main St. in Wellsville. A private family service will follow with Joe's brother-in-law, Pastor Rick Stanley of Covenant Presbyterian Church, officiating.
The Tri-State Burial Group will accord full military honors at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Joe's name to the Alumni Scholarship Committee of Wellsville High School, PO Box 629, Wellsville, OH 43968, to establish a scholarship in his honor.
You may view this obituary and send condolences online at www.robertsfuneralhomewellsville.com.
9/25/23