Schuylkill County Obituaries for 10/09/18
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James J. Botella, 90, Girardville, passed away peacefully on Sunday at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Jim was a US Army Veteran of World War II having served in the European Theatre of Operations.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
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Francis J. Goncalves, 84, of Englewood, Frackville, passed away unexpectedly Sunday afternoon.
Born in Ashland on February 26, 1934, he was a son of the late Anthony and Antoinette (Polidore) Goncalves.
He was a 1952 graduate of the former Mount Carmel Catholic High, Mount Carmel.
Francis was a decorated Navy veteran having served during the Korean War era. He was assigned to the Naval Construction Battalion known as the “Seabees” and served on an Admiral Byrd expedition to Antarctica.
Prior to his retirement, he worked for the former Kraft Foods, later Packaging Resources, Mount Carmel Township, in the quality control department.
On May 23, 1964, in the Annunciation BVM Church, Shenandoah, he married the former Mary P. Donovan, who survives.
He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville. Francis was a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Sarto Council 1322, Ashland, and was a 4th Degree member of Assembly 923, Pottsville. He was an avid train fan and enjoyed model railroading and was a member of the Tamaqua Model Railroad Club. He was also a life member of Friendship Fire Company No. 1, Englewood, Butler Township. Francis was also a member and past president of the Centralia Borough where he was instrumental in building the new municipal complex. He enjoyed fishing and was a former Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America Troop 169, Centralia.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of over 54 years, Mary P. Goncalves, are his daughter, Denise Goncalves, Frackville; his son, Joseph Goncalves and his companion, Renie Marie Matangos, Harrisburg; two grandchildren, Dominic Goncalves and Kaitlin Merritt, both of Harrisburg; one brother, Anthony Goncalves and his wife, Janice, Annapolis, Md.; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his granddog, Cuzin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday in St. Joseph the Worker Parish, the Church of St. Ann, 49 N. Line St., Frackville. Monsignor Ronald C. Bocian will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery, Centralia. A viewing will be held from 8 to 10:45 a.m. Thursday in St. Ann Church.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to St. Joseph the Worker Parish Memorial Fund, 7 S. Broad Mountain Ave., Frackville, PA 17931
