Joseph Beskid, 88, of Warren, passed away peacefully at 2:15 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2013 in his home.

Joseph was born September 26, 1924 in Ernest, Pa., a son of the late Joseph and Anna (Hrebik) Beskid and was a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School.

Joseph retired from Copperweld Steel after 35 years. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, ORC in Warren.

Joseph enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17 with the blessing of his father on October 7, 1941. One week after he graduated from Great Lakes Academy of the United States the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Joseph was assigned to pick-it duty on the west coast on a WW I destroyer the USS Crosby D0164. He was then transferred to a Liberty Ship called The Meriwether Lewis. Joseph took a volunteer transfer to another Tanker called the Monocacy. During an Atlantic convoy with the Monocacy, the Meriwether Lewis was torpedoed and sank and all hands went down. Joseph's guardian angel was with him during this time. Joseph fought in the longest battle of WWII called the Battle of the North Atlantic. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean 18 times, did 2 tours of the South Pacific Ocean and went through the Panama Canal twice. In November 1942, he went through the Straits of Gibraltar, landed in Casablanca and unloaded Sherman tanks for General Patton's Army. Joseph held the rank of Seaman 1st Class and a Trainer on the Main Battery 5" gun. Joseph was awarded the America Theater, European & African Theater, Atlantic Theater, Pacific Theater and 3 Battle Star medals and after being honorably discharged on October 25, 1945 the Navy awarded Joseph the Navy Red Ribbon. His favorite quote was, "I was one of those who went down the sea in ships and saw the wonders of his work".

Joseph will be deeply missed by his wife the former Carmella DeSantis whom he married on May 22, 1954; his daughters, Rosann (Mark) Carnahan of Warren and Kathy Tsilimos of Warren; three grandchildren Elizabeth and Emily Carnahan and Michael Tsilimos; nephews Nick Beskid, David Beskid, John Didich, Joseph Yez, Frank Nance, Michael Nance; James Singelis, Ted Singelis and Larry DeSantis; nieces Helen Parry, Joanne Paluch, PA, Mary Ann Junia, Susan Colyer, Eleanor Nagy and Carla Nolan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, John, Samuel, Steven, Nicholas and four sisters, Katherine Didich, Anna Beskid, Helen Baillie, Mary Yez and a niece Diane Beskid.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Sinchak & Sons Funeral Home, where a Panikhida Service will take place at 7:00 p.m.

A Funeral Liturgy, with Fr. Jonathan Cholcher officiating, will take place on Friday, June 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, where the body will lie in state from 9 a.m. until the hour of service.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Pineview Memorial Park.

For the short period of time he was with Hospice the Beskid Family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Joseph's nurse. She was most kind, understanding and patient with Joseph and his family.

In lieu of flowers, tributes may be made in Joseph's name to St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church Fund, 2220 Reeves Road NE, Warren, Ohio 44483.