Joseph L. Frontera, 95, died peacefully Thursday morning, August 13, 2020 at his residence after enjoying a great life. He was born April 8, 1925 in Clarendon, PA. He was the son of John B. and Maria Saracino Frontera. Joe was a Warren area resident most of his entire life. He was a 1943 graduate of Warren High School. While in school he was an accomplished athlete, playing on the 1941 & 1942 football and baseball teams. He also played guitar and harmonica on the street corners of Clarendon with his friends and neighbors. Upon graduation he was drafted on April 9, 1943 in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He completed his boot camp and electrical training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. He was transferred to Little Creek, VA Amphibious Base in May 1944 and assigned to LSM 168 (landing ship medium). They were sent through Panama Canal to Society Islands to Admiralty Islands where they picked up tanks and trucks, which took them to New Guinea and participated in mop up landings there. Proceeded onto the Philippine Island in October 1944 to participate in invasions of Leyte, Palawan, Mindoro, Cebu, Negros, Bohol, and Samar. In June, 1944 they participated in the invasion of Brunei Bay. Borneo, where Japanese had oil installations of Japan and received orders to invade Kyushu on November 1, 1945. They would have been in the first wave, however, Japan surrendered in August, 1945 and the war was over.
Joe was discharged in December 1946 as a Petty Officer 1st Class Electrician and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with 2 battle stars; Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon with 1 star; Combat Action Ribbon; American Theatre Ribbon, WWII Victory Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. Upon discharge from the Navy, he worked as an electrician for Sylvania (later GTE) for 37 years, retiring in 1984. He was an avid golfer and fly fisherman, enjoying several trips to Canada. He held memberships at Blueberry Hill Golf Course for over 30 years where he had several friends and accomplished getting a hole in one. He wintered at Barefoot Bay, Florida for many years. Joe and his wife, Sarah, loved to dance in the early years of marriage and won several dance competitions. He was an avid gardener and is remembered by his family as a man who had great love and pride for his family. They were the center of who Joe was as a person.
He is survived by his 3 Children – Maria Lantz Frontera, Kathleen Johnson and husband, Rick, Joseph D. Frontera all of Warren, PA., 6 Grandchildren – John C. Frontera, Warren, PA., Maria Toole and husband, Ryan of Fairview, PA., Travis Lantz of Warren, PA., Sara Mudd Frontera and husband, Daniel of Columbia, S.C., Rachele Clark and husband, Joshua of Washington, D.C., Christian Frontera Johnson of Warren, PA., 4 Great Grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Sarah L. Pellegrino Frontera whom he married February 19, 1949 in Warren, PA., who died February 28, 1993, 4 Brothers – Peter, Dominic, Frank and Edward Frontera, 1 Sister – Marion Fago, and his daughter-in-law, Nancy Frontera, who died on January 28, 2008.
Friends were received at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. on Monday, August 17, 2020 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial was conducted Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell Street, Warren, PA., at 10:00 A.M. with Fr. Stephen Schreiber, officiating. Serving as pallbearers for interment in St. Joseph Cemetery were Dominic Frontera III, John Frontera, Christian Johnson, and Travis Lantz. Full military honors were conducted by members of the Clarendon/Sheffield V.F.W. Funeral Honor Guard and U.S. Navy personnel. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through the Warren Chapter of Disabled American Veterans 210 North Street, Warren, PA. 16365. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
Maria, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. What a long life that he had! I am sure that your Mom welcomed him to heaven with open arms.
Thank you, Wendy. We miss him so much already, but we are relieved he is with Mom and all of his family and friends. Maria
Kathy, Joe, Maria & Families
We are so sorry for the loss of your father, what a great inspiration to your family, may he be at peace. Our thoughts and Prayers…
Chuck & LouAnn Gadsby
Thank you, LouAnn. He was one-of-a-kind in so many ways. We miss him a lot already, but we know he is in God’s beautiful world & home with Mom, his family and friends.
My deepest condolences to your family. I remember your parents from when we were in Lacy together. Keeping you in my prayers.
Dear Kathy and family,
You are in my thoughts this morning. My deepest sympathy. Sharing a part of your Father’s life during our sessions was truly a joy and blessing. The Frontera children were caring and loving to their special Dad..peace and joy will be given you in our eternal life.
Carol
Joe Beth and I would like to offer our condolences to you and your family
Joe, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Your dad had a long life that was filled with memories and a loving family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Thank you, Judy. We remember your family, too, not only from our childhood and Lacy School, but also in recent years. You Mom would come into my store (Warren United News) frequently. She was good friends with our Mom so we had lots of memories to share. We know they are all together now talking about the same times & memories.
So sorry for your loss, but a blessing to have had him for so many years. What a full and wonderful life. And the stories he must have told. Cherish the memories.
Thank you, Judy. How wonderful to hear from you!
Yes, he had stories galore. As my dad got older, he studied the war. I once asked him whether, at the time of his enlistment, he and his fellow soldiers knew what the War was about. He said “no, we were kids from small towns eager to see the world.”
He saw much, and study brought understanding & clarity to the missions his ship served. He shared his knowledge and insight with the newspaper, veteran gatherings, and the Eldred City Military Museum.
He was at his best when he told stories from his childhood about family & friends who came from the “old Country,” Italy. The most entertaining & charming stories are how they managed the Italian-to-English translations. He would belly laugh every time he told them. We recorded the stories to paper so we would never forget,
We have learned, however, how different it is when the second parent passes. After 95 years, the cord is forever cut. Perhaps, you experienced the same.
I often think of you when I read about the Hi-Ed Council. I have lovely memories. Warren has changed so much. So happy to have the memories to recall better times.
Again, thank you, Judy, for taking the time to acknowledge my father’s death. I really appreciate it.
Love,
Maria