Joseph J. Ochaba, age 91 of Mentor, passed away May 17th, 2023 peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born December 31st, 1931 in New Kensington, PA to the late Joseph and Mary Ochaba (Fornelli/Veltri).
He served with honor in the US Air Force. He trained as a radio technician and was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of staff sergeant.
He attended college in Youngstown while working at Sharon Steel.
In 1953, he met Ann Cica on a blind date in the foyer of the Sharon Store in Sharon Pa. not knowing at the time that they would marry and be together for 70 years.
In 1959, he moved his young family 75 miles northwest to Mentor where he became a lifelong resident.
In 1965, Joe graduated from Fenn College (now a part of Cleveland State University).
After graduation, Joe worked at GPE controls in Cleveland and Alexeff-Snyder in Walton Hills. He traveled worldwide as a salesman selling equipment to the tire and rubber industry. The late 1980s, he found himself selling US built equipment to the Chinese. In 1992, Joe retired as the Vice President of Sales for KOBELCO Stewart Bolling Inc. in Hudson Ohio.
As his responsibilities grew with the births of 5 children, he was never too busy to help family and friends with handyman tasks. This continued well after retirement when he worked part time at DIY and Ace Hardware where he specialized in plumbing. He had great satisfaction in helping and teaching people in troubleshooting household problems.
During his long retirement, Joe enjoyed golfing, fishing, and neighborhood backyard BAR-B-Q. He was always there to help family with house or car repairs and the numerous calls that began with “my car won’t start”.
Joe was the loving husband of 70 years to Ann C. Ochaba; beloved father of Kerry (Susan) Ochaba, Kim (Ronnie) Ray, Tracy (Kevin) Peshek, Kelly Ochaba and Dawn (Michael) Dunmire; dearest grandfather of Brandon, Bryant, Christine, Alexander, Dominic, Kevin, Lauren, Gavin and Frank; great grandfather of Ethan, Caleb, Lydia, Kaito, Yuto, and Logan; brother of the late Betty Vellente; uncle of many.
The family will receive friends from 12 Noon – 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 24th at McMahon Coyne Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center Street, Mentor. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Mentor Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jeff Monreal Funeral Services.
