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Joseph Petrilak, 90, of Forest City peacefully passed away on Christmas Day surrounded by his loving family.He was the proud husband to Dorothy Rose Petrilak who predeceased him in 2020.  The couple had been married for 61 years.

Born to Michael Petrilak and Mary Arlene King Petrilak of Simpson, Pennsylvania, Joseph spent his childhood in Simpson, attending the local Fell Township schools with his brothers Michael and Paul and sister Eileen, before joining the Navy. Throughout his life, Joseph worked in the food industry. First as a baker on Naval ships where he travelled extensively, meeting his future wife, Dorothy, at port in New York.

Joseph and Dorothy married and settled in New York where they raised their five children.After becoming a successful businessman in supermarkets and The Dilly Deli, in NYC, Joseph attended the Culinary Institute of America where he received his degree and became a professional chef. Employed as an executive chef at the St. John Neuman Seminary for the Archdiocese of New York, Joe prepared meals for the seminarians and for Cardinal O’Connor before his retirement to Forest City in 2003.

In recent years, Joe was well known resident of the Forest City Personal Care facility, where he enjoyed his final years.In his life, Joseph enjoyed renovating houses in Forest City and the surrounding areas.    He loved cooking, reading and spending time nature, especially at his lake house on Wrighter Lake.

He is known for his delicious cooking, sense of humor, friendly and giving nature, love for his family and strong faith.

He is survived by his 5 children and their families; Thomas and Dorothy-Bradenton, Fl, Denis and Eileen- Boynton Beach, Fl, Timothy and Lucy- Midland Park, NJ, Suzanne and Bobby- Douglaston NY and Joseph Matthew- Forest City. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren; Michael, Thomas, Gregory, Christopher, Daniel, Andrew, Matthew, Grace and Bronwyn   and his 2 great grandchildren; Jonathan and William. A sister, Eileen Aguiar and Mike, Forest City.

Joseph will be cremated and buried with his wife Dorothy in New York. A burial service will be held in th spring, on a date yet to be determined. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved eternally by those who loved.

Arrangements by the Joseph W Scotchlas Funeral Home, Inc., Simpson, PA.