Joseph D. “Joe” Portugal, Jr.
Joseph “Joe” Portugal, Jr., 63, of Philipsburg, died Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.
Joe was born on February 5, 1960, in Yonkers, New York, a son of the late Joseph D. Portugal, Sr., and Josephine (Santeramo) Portugal.
Joe was a 1978 graduate of Yonkers High School. He furthered his education at Fordham University and received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Early in his working career, Joe accepted a Graduate Assistant position in the sociology department at Penn State while working towards a master’s degree. Joe made a career change in 1987 and accepted a position with Skills of Central Pa. Joe had been a manager with Skills of Central Pa when he suffered an accident that required him to take a medical retirement after 23 years of service.
Joe was married on June 6, 1987, at St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Altoona, to the former Susan DeNardo, who survives at home.
He is also survived by a daughter, Diana L. Portugal, of Philipsburg; two grandchildren, Lilly Sue Jo Harris and Hilmer Lee Harris, Jr., both of Philipsburg; two sisters, Joanna Cirino, of New York and Emilia “Millie” Ypsilantis, of White Plains, New York; a sister and brother-in-law, Robin A. (DeNardo) Burns and her husband, Gregory A. Burns; four nieces: Megan E. Burns, Jessica B. Gordon, Katie M. Burns and Julia A. Burns; two great-nephews, Ranger A. Jury and Micah N. Gordon; his three faithful four-legged companions: Little Miss, Jeter and Joey; and two former caregivers, Brandon “B” Koch and Lydia Shippee, who he was very close to and considered like family.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; a stepmother, Maria Sequiera; an infant brother; and his father and mother-in-law, Guy M. and Josephine (Calabrese) DeNardo.
Among his favorite pastimes, Joe enjoyed going dancing and was a very good dancer in his early years up until his accident. He was a diehard New York Yankee fan and enjoyed going to see the Yankees and his favorite player, Derek Jeter play ball. He also enjoyed going over to Altoona to watch the Altoona Curve, the Pittsburgh Pirates AA affiliate. When not watching baseball, Joe also enjoyed playing Bingo and he had an extensive collection of elephant photos and figurines. He was very much a family man; and he loved spending time with his grandchildren and his great-nephew, Ranger. Although Joe suffered a devastating injury that left him physically paralyzed, he did not let that injury stop him from continuing to live life to the fullest and enjoy all the other blessings that had been bestowed upon him.
Joe was a faithful member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Houtzdale; and attended whenever he could as his health permitted.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 11 am, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 123 Good Street, Houtzdale, with Rev. Johnathan Schmolt, celebrant.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2023, from 5 to 8 pm, at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce St., Philipsburg.
The Rosary will be recited by members of the Christ the King Altar / Rosary Society on Sunday at 7 pm at the funeral home.
Interment will be in Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Osceola Mills.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s memory to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Erie, 1645 W 8th St, Erie, PA 16505; the Make a Wish Foundation, www.wish.org; Gateway Humane Society, 1211 Airport Rd., Falls Creek, PA 15840; THe Philipsburg Dog Park, C/O Philipsburg Borough, P.O. Box 631, Philipsburg, Pa 16866; or to Christ the King Parish, 123 Good St., Houtzdale, Pa 16651.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Pilgram’s office and the staff at the Philipsburg Geisinger Clinic, the Geisinger at Home Nurses, Dr. Datta and the Mount Nittany Medical Center medical staff, Home Instead, Bright Star Nursing, Hope Fire Co. and the Moshannon Valley Emergency Medical Services staff.
