Dr. Joseph T. Makarewicz, PhD, OFS, 88, passed away on January 4th, 2026 at AHN Wexford Hospital. He was born in Philadelphia on March 6th, 1937, the son of the late Mary (Wozny) and Joseph S. Makarewicz. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie L. (Tharp) Makarewicz, OFS, their cat, Queen Pixie, Beth Tharp, his sister-in-law of Cranberry Township, Dan and Mary Pattison of Bentleyville, Grace Horne, Linda Hartley of Washington, Aunt Florence Pasztalaniec of Philadelphia and his cousins, Diane Homewood and Monica Davey, all who were very helpful during his illness. He got really sick on Christmas Eve and passed away on the Feast of the Epiphany. He attended St. Adalberts Elementary Catholic School and North East Catholic High School. He then attended LaSalle University where he majored in History, Political Science and Philosophy, and was a member of Phi Alpha Theta. He obtained a scholarship to Marquette University and earned a Master’s Degree. He then received a Teaching Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, and earned his PhD (Doctorate in History). He authored a book to get his PhD, titled “The Impact of World War I on Pennsylvania Politics”. He taught at East Stroudsburg State University, Penn State Beaver Campus, and the University of Pittsburgh, where he was a Professor of History and Director of the Pennsylvania Ethnic Heritage Studies Center and Associate Director of the University Center for International Studies. At UCIS, he was responsible for Multi-Cultural Programs and also worked with the foreign visitors who came to UCIS. This was perhaps his greatest joy. While at Pitt, he served as Vice President of the Polish Room and was on Nationality Room Scholarship Committee. He has attended the University of Minnesota Post-Doctorate program, the University of Chicago Newberry Library Research Fellowship and the University of Wisconsin Summer Institute. He met his wife, Bonnie at the University of Pittsburgh during the Summer Fellowship where she worked in the Pitt Library. She immediately caught his eye because she wore a yellow dress and she could type and he later found out that she could cook! They were married on August 7th, 1965 at St. Titus Catholic Church in Aliquippa, and they celebrated 60 years of marriage in August. He was a member of the Heinz History Center and local historical societies, especially the Anthony Wayne Historical Society. He wrote book reviews for the History Center and the Catholic Historical Society. He was co-editor of “Milestones’, the local historical newsletter. Joe belonged to the BCHRLF (Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation) serving as Past President. He was a member of Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ambridge of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish (former Our Lady of Peace Church, Conway, and Saint John the Baptist Church, Baden) where he served on the Parish Council, was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, member of the Holy Name Society, St. Vincent DePaul Society, and taught RCIA and CCD classes for many years. He and Frank Thomas were the first Eucharistic Ministers chosen to serve St. John the Baptist Church. He was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Auxiliary and a Consultant for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in the early 1990’s when many churches were merged. He joined the Alverno Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order in 1989, and served as Minister and Formation Director. He was a member of the Serra Club of Pittsburgh and served as President and Board member. He was also a member of the Big Knob Grange, and assisted with the Fairs and dinners. He was a member of the Friends of the Baden Memorial Library, and worked on their Annual Wine and Cheese Event, as recently as 2025. At the request of Sr. Carolyn Wiethorn, he has volunteered at Concordia at Villa St Joseph in Baden (former Villa St. Joseph) since 2000, serving as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and conducted a monthly program called “News and Views” for the residents. For several years, he and Bonnie served on the Annual Fund Raising Committee, “Young at Heart” and they chaired the dinner event in 2014. They were honored to be selected for the “Partner in Caring Award” in 2016. He was a paper boy for the “Philadelphia Bulletin” in high school, and he won a contest to attend President Dwight Eisenhower’s inauguration in 1953. His hobbies included gardening, stamp collecting, reading, photography, golfing and cooking on the grill. He was appointed Chief Food Tester by Rose Curcio, when he assisted with a picnic on retreat for Confirmation students. As a result, he continued to cook on the grill. Two weeks ago, he assisted Bonnie by frying the Chrusciki Polish cookies, and making the Pizzelles for the Christmas holidays. He loved the Easter and Christmas holidays! Joe and Bonnie have traveled extensively abroad and in the United States. They especially enjoyed spending recent summers at Lake Chautauqua. He misses his German Shepherd, Cleo and his cats, Tiger and Mia.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Good Samaritan Church, St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge, PA 15003.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, January 7th from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at the Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge, who was in charge of his arrangements, and where the Secular Franciscans will also have a wake service at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday. A prayer service will also be held at that funeral home on Thursday, January 8th at 10 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Freedom.
He lived life to the fullest until the very end, volunteering his time and service to the end. A thank you goes out to all who cared for Joseph recently, especially Dr. James Meditch and staff, the staff at AHN Wexford, Concordia at Villa St Joseph, the Sisters of St Joseph, and Three Oaks Hospice. Very thankful for the prayers and support of Fr. Joe, Fr. Chris, Deacon Tony, Sr. Carolyn, Sr. Bernadette, Rachelle, Jan, David, Joyce, Tim, Donna, Shaunette, Jackie, Christian Mothers & Ladies Guild, and our Secular Franciscan brothers and sisters.
