Joseph Colarossi, Jr.

Joseph Colarossi, Jr.

June 24, 2026

Joseph Colarossi, Jr., 66, of Scranton, died peacefully on Wednesday evening at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore.

Born in Scranton on November 2, 1959, son of the late Joseph Sr. and Madalyn Wagner Colarossi, he was raised in a Tripp Park neighborhood and graduated from Scranton Central High School, Class of 1977. He furthered his education at Wilkes University, earning a Communications degree. After writing for the Citizen's Voice and the Metro, working in security, and for Allied Services, Joe found a true calling as a Direct Caregiver at area agencies for the past few decades. His empathy and dry sense of humor turned clients into friends. His last endeavor was as an 'at home' Caregiver to his Mother, Madalyn, until her passing in 2021.

Since childhood, he was an avid sports fan. Luckily, the neighborhood was home to enough cousins and friends to always find a pick-up game of baseball, basketball, and even football. He was a longtime NY Knicks fan and ran bus trips to Madison Square Garden back when the entire experience cost $24. As an adult, Joe fulfilled his dream of being a season ticket holder for the Philadelphia Eagles. He enjoyed taking a friend to the home game every week and did so for more than a decade.

A real prankster from childhood through his young adult years, Joe also enjoyed a good card game, with Blackjack as his favorite. The Mohegan Sun, being a shorter trip than Atlantic City, was where he enjoyed playing when he was able. Eventually, he found online Casinos for entertainment when he could no longer travel. Sports and sports betting were like a science to him, spending much time doing research. He would always share a tip or two as the 'Vegas Tipster'. Finally, he was able to see not only the Eagles win Super Bowls, but his beloved Knicks win an NBA Championship. Both gave him much joy after waiting a lifetime.

Joe is survived by his sisters, Angela Malinoski, and husband Frank, Dunmore, and Linda Duffy, Carbondale, as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great- nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Colarossi.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Eric Smith for the relationship he had with Joe as his primary physician as well as the staff at Geisinger Oncology and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their compassion and kindness in providing care for Joe.

The funeral will be conducted on Thursday, July 2, 2026, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 am in Holy Rosary Church, 320 William Street, Scranton. The family will receive relatives and friends at the church from 9:00 am until the commencement of services. Burial will follow at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 E.D. Preate Drive, Suite 108, Moosic, PA 18507

Arrangements are entrusted to the Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 323 William Street, Scranton.

Express condolences and share memories online at freganfuneral.com