Deacon Joseph J. Wrabel, 82, of Lower Paxton Township, died Tuesday, May 25, 2021 in the Hospice of Central PA Carolyn''s House.
He was the retired Co-Owner and Chief Financial Officer of Capital Trailways Bus Company, an Ordained Permanent Deacon for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg and was a member of the United States Army Reserve.
Deacon Joe was a Graduate of Scranton Technical High School, attended Mount St. Mary''s College, the University of Scranton and Elizabethtown College, where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. He was an Honorary Graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School and the proud Chaplain of the Bishop McDevitt Crusader Football Team for almost 40 years; a member of Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, where he was assigned as a Permanent Deacon for 43 years. He was a Fourth Degree Member of J.W. Shanahan General Assembly Knights of Columbus; Holy Name of Jesus Knights of Columbus Council #14081, where he served as Chaplain.
Joseph was the son of the late Joseph L. and Irene Regenye Wrabel and is survived by his Loving Wife of 58 years, Elaine S. Torquato Wrabel; one daughter, Judy A. Bullock and husband Brian, Harrisburg; two sons, Joseph John Wrabel, Jr. (Jay) and wife Kris, Harrisburg and Jeffrey P. Wrabel and wife Lori, Harrisburg; 6 grandchildren, Joey, Jamie, Connor, Ashley, Max and Elise and three Cousins. He was preceded in death by a foster Brother, Tibor Gaal.
Over the course of 43 years of serving as a Permanent Deacon, Deacon Wrabel touched the lives of countless individuals through his faith, compassion, kindness, humility, empathy, sympathy and his sincere ability to listen. His commitment to Bishop McDevitt High School, enhanced the lives of students, staff and faculty on a consistent basis. He brought many souls back to God through his ministry and numerous Baptisms, Holy Communions, Marriages and Funerals. May he now enjoy the fruits of his labor.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Con-Celebrated on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 11:00am, on the 43rd Anniversary of his Ordination, in Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 6150 Allentown Blvd., with the Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, D.D., J.C.L, Bishop of Harrisburg, as Principal Celebrant and Homilist Rev. Edward Quinlan, Pastor. Entombment will be in Resurrection Cemetery. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm and on Thursday from 10:00 am - 10:45 am in his church. Arrangements by Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 357 South Harrisburg Street, Oberlin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Name of Jesus Parochial School, 6190 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17112, or Bishop McDevitt High School, 1 Crusader Way, Harrisburg, PA 17111 or Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.