Joseph Paul Pepe

Joseph Paul Pepe, age 75, passed away on October 8, 2018 after a hard fought battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy. Born in Akron on September 16, 1943, he grew up in Akron and graduated from Hoban High School in 1962. Joe was a proud Vietnam veteran that served in the U.S. Navy from 1962-1966, stationed in San Diego, Calif., and never lost his love for the area. He retired from SBC (Ohio Bell) in 1994 after 24 years of service in Akron. Joe volunteered many hours to Big Brothers & Sisters and enjoyed overnight trips with the Ohio Bell Pioneers. Joe enjoyed his retirement in Pinehurst, N.C. playing golf, cards, dominoes and bowling. He returned to the Ohio area in 2016 to be close to family. Preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Edith Pepe; and sister, Rose Marie Pepe, Joe leaves behind his beloved wife of 34 years, Rosalie; son, Ray Butler (Perri); grandson, Rhett Butler (Whitney); granddaughter, Rhiannon Kaltenbach (AJ); great-grandson, Brecken Kaltenbach; brothers, Richard Pepe (June) and Bob Pepe; sister, Mary Ann Pepe; brother-in-law, Tom Reichman (Pat); and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family will be received Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver MOGADORE Funeral Home, 34 S. Cleveland Avenue (Route 532), Mogadore, Ohio 44260. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, 9 a.m. at the funeral home with Father Thomas Acker, S.J. officiating. Graveside Service and Burial will take place Saturday, 12 noon at Sharon Moravian Church Cemetery, 4776 Moravian Church Road SE, New Philadelphia. The family would like to request that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America at www.bbbs.org. (Hopkins Lawver, MOGADORE, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com