Joseph Anthony "Joe" Geraci

A Memorial Mass for Joseph Anthony “Joe” Geraci, 86, of Lufkin will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church with Fr. Phil “Skip” Negley, M.S. and Deacon Gary Trevino officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home. Family Christian Burial of the cremains will follow the Mass.

Joseph was born April 4, 1931 in Beaumont, Texas to the late Willie Charles Geraci and Patrina (Giralimo) Geraci, who died when Joseph was nine months old. Poppa Joe and Laura Quartararo raised Joseph. He died Friday, December 29, 2017 in a Lufkin hospital.

Joseph attended St. Anthony School in Beaumont and graduated from Sul Ross University where he was the varsity catcher for the Sul Ross baseball team. He did his post-graduate work in Audiology at Stephen F. Austin State University.

In 1963 Joseph and Rosemary moved with baby Mary to Lufkin to establish Beltone Hearing Aid Service family business. He was a member of the International Hearing Instrument Society, Board Certified, and a Certified Audioprosthologist. In 1991 Joseph received the Texas Hearing Aid Association Dispenser of the Year. Joe and Rosemary were awarded the 1st Pacesetter Award and two Regional Awards of Merit. The family business changed to Audibel and Joe and Rosemary were inducted to the Audibel Hall of Fame, a high distinction.

Joseph attended St. Patrick Catholic Church for many years and was a founding member of St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, serving as Eucharist Minister. Joe was also a 4th degree member of the Lufkin Knights of Columbus, and was honored to serve.

Joe loved his family and he and Rosemary would go fishing every weekend with M.V. and Richard, and the dachshunds. Later, golf was his love, and again it was the family golfing. Joe’s greatest love was traveling to Italy with Rosemary. Joe was a member of the Men’s Golf Association, and Past President of the Lufkin Noon Lions Club, lifetime member of the Texas Lions Camp, and longtime Chairman of the Eyeglass Committee. Joseph and Rosemary worked tirelessly fundraising for The Joseph House, which is an end of life home in Lufkin.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Virginia and Scott Simpson of Livingston; son, Richard Charles of Lufkin; grandchildren, Tyler Scott Simpson and wife Sandy of Latexo, Curtis Clark Simpson of Livingston, Sarrah Cleora Geraci of College Station, and Shelby Virginia Geraci of Lufkin; and great-grandchildren, Nathan Simpson, Barret Simpson, both of Latexo, and Kylyn Simpson of Livingston.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and loving wife of 56 years, Rosemary Geraci.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Frank, Bob Frank, Bill Frank, Paul Mayberry, Ronnie Robinson, Hugh Anderson, Garland Picou, and Andy Dupre.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Joseph House, P.O. Box 150554, Lufkin, Texas 75915.

Many thanks to Affinity Hospice for your two-year service to Rosemary and recently for Joe.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.