Joseph Anthony Golla, Sr

 

Born in Kittanning, PA on March 2nd, 1929, he was a son of the late Adolph F. and Adella J. (nee Riccadonna) Golla. He was a U.S. Marine and served during the end of WWII and into the Korean War.

 

Joe was employed with Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Chester as a draftsman for over 15 years. He then was employed with Stone & Webster Engineering Co. in Cherry Hill, NJ as a HVAC engineer designer for over 15 years. After retirement, he worked parttime with Dupont Chemical Plants as a HVAC engineer designer.

 

Joe enjoyed many interests throughout his long life. Foremost was spending time with his family. He loved the outdoors and traveled throughout the United States with his wife Carolyn and special daughter, Chris, camping, touring and visiting friends and family along the way. Joe treasured his 65' Ford Thunderbird, which always occupied the best garage space. He loved driving and sharing his T-bird with others, especially with the windows open! One of Joe's favorite pastimes was taking care of the outdoors of his home, planting and caring for azaleas, hibiscus and gladiolus. He even grew a soaring red maple tree from a sapling, a tree that shades the backyard today. And out front of his house, daily, Joe flew the Marine and U.S. flags proudly.

 

After family and flag came food in Joe's life. He especially loved bread and even baked his own. Living in the Philadelphia area for all of his adult life, Joe was naturally a great Eagles and Phillies fan, even working as a scorekeeper in the 1960's for Eagles games at Franklin Field. Joe was a master craftsman carpenter at all things related to home building and maintenance. He shared his generosity and skill to help his children and grandchildren and anyone in the family with their home improvement projects, big and small. He loved making sure that everyone was okay. His special daughter Chris summed him up as only she could, "Mom buy. Dad fix." And that said it all about Joe.

 

In addition to his wife, Carolyn; Joe is survived by six children, Lorraine C. (nee Golla) Zizzo and her husband, Michael of Yardley, Joanne G. (nee Golla) Cook and her husband, Frank of Media, Carolyn L. (nee Golla) Wren of Sun City West, AZ, wife of the late John Tregoning Wren, Joseph A. Golla, Jr. of Bethesda, MD, Arlene V. (nee Golla) Maroli and her husband, Allan of Belle Mead, NJ and Christine M. Golla of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Michael D. Zizzo and his wife, Marie of Levittown, Anne Marie Mullin of Holland, PA, Joseph J. Zizzo and his fiancé, Amanda of Pennsauken, NJ, Lauren E. Kemble and her husband, Michael of Broomall, Philip J. Cook and his wife, Kristen of Wayne, Matthew A. Maroli of Belle Mead, NJ and Katherine E. Maroli of Belle Mead, NJ; 10 great grandchildren, Sydney M., Madelyn T., Michael "Rocco", Gianna M., Colin M., Shaun M., Mia E., Harper G., Scarlet A. and Tanner P.; a great great grandson, Bruno D. and a sister, Virginia M. (nee Golla) Zabinski and her husband, Louis R. of East Vandergrift.

 

Joe is predeceased by two brothers, Edward C. and Leno A. Golla.

 

A visitation will be on Tuesday, June 14th, 2022, from 10 to 11am in Nativity BVM Church, 30 E. Franklin St., Media, PA 19063. A funeral mass will be on Tuesday in the church at 11am with Father Kevin Mulligan as celebrant.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to help Catholic Social Services Intermediate Care Facilities to support individuals with intellectual disabilities by donating at Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence, 20 E. Cleveland Ave., Norwood, PA 19074 or at their website at www.dgdpcommunities.org/donate-to-dgdp-communities/ or to the care of our nation's critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families by donating to the Semper Fi Fund at www.thefund.org.