Joseph J. DeMelfi

October 26, 1947 - January 22, 2024

  Joseph J. DeMelfi, 76, of Freeland passed away Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton.  He was born in Hazleton son of the late Joseph (Jerry) and Frances (Avillion) DeMelfi and lived his entire life in Freeland.  He was an active member of St. Mary’s B.C. Church. 

     He graduated from Freeland High School where he played basketball for the Whippets and played trombone in the marching band where he was selected for District Band.  He continued his education at Penn State University where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education majoring in social studies and taught in the area Parochial School System.  He was later employed for over 30 years at Citterio, USA Freeland until his retirement. 

     His love of music led him to co-found a number of rock bands throughout his music career including The Hands of Time, Rubber Duck, Duck, Phase and Travesty.  He is best remembered as co-founder, bass guitarist and vocalist with poplar local favorite PEACH. He loved the Beatles, Steely Dan, and Roy Orbison.  He was also a member of St.  Ann’s Band, Freeland.  An amateur photographer he was a former exhibiting member of the Hazleton Camera Club. 

    He loved the Boston Celtics in the early days of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale and was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Go Birds! 

     He is preceded in death by his son Joel DeMelfi, his sister Lucille Gesner and Brother Nicholas DeMelfi and his wife Arlene. 

     He is survived by his wife the former Bernadette Banja and his brothers-in-law: Edward Banja and wife Lee, John Banja and wife Dee, Michael Banja and wife Beth and Sister-in-law Gloria Balas and husband Matthew, also a number of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great twin nephews and a number of cousins. 

     The Funeral will be held on Thursday leaving the McNulty Funeral Home at 10:00 A.M. with Office of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary’s B.C. Church, Freeland, 

Interment to follow in St Anthony’s R.C. Cemetery, Freeland.  Friends and relatives may call on Wednesday evening at the Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. 

      In lieu of flowers donations in Joseph’s memory to St. Mary’s B.C. Church or an Animal Rescue of one’s choice would be appreciated by the family.