Joseph William Wasiluk

Joseph William Wasiluk, 73, formerly of Mt. Vernon, OH, passed away October 20, 2024 at Southlake Hospital in Clermont, Florida. He was born in Bethesda, Maryland in 1951 and lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, and Virginia across his lifespan. He spent the last 10 years in Florida where he had long dreamed of retiring. His days were filled with researching various branches of family on genealogic websites, connecting with past friends and sharing photos of his granddaughters on social media, watching lizards scatter on his back patio, and of course, the more than occasional drive through the Walt Disney World campus.

Joe was a gifted writer and storyteller. His writing career spanned 40 years and graced the pages of the Mt. Vernon News during his tenure as Sports Editor, and was recognized at the local, regional and national levels during his terms as Sports Information Director at Kenyon College and Virginia Wesleyan College. He found great joy in touting the accomplishments of the athletes that he covered, and an even deeper reward in fostering the growth of aspiring writers with whom he worked.

The stories he loved sharing the most, though, were those of his family. Family meant the world to Joe. He is preceded in death by his mother Constance and his father William. He will be remembered as a loving father, father-in-law, and "papa" to his daughter Christina (Julie McKay), son-in-law Kevin, and their daughters Natalie and Elliott. His will forever have a place in the hearts of his devoted friend Gene Schojan and their beloved dog, Charlie. He will also be remembered as a wonderful big brother and brother-in-law to John Wasiluk and Jim and Jan Wasiluk, and the forever fun uncle to his several nieces, nephews and their children.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, November 7th at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Mt. Vernon at 10:30 a.m., followed by a visitation and memorial celebration from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home, 18260 Coshocton Rd, Mt. Vernon. All are welcome to attend and share their memories of Joe. If you would like to make a memorial donation to an organization dear to Joe, his family recommends ASPCA