Joseph Mari

Joseph T. Mari, 92, of Bethlehem, PA passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday November 6, 2025, at St. Lukes Hospital in Fountain Hill, PA. He was born in Bethlehem, and for a time he also lived in Freemansburg. He was the son of the late Joseph and Anne (Pfadenhauer) Mari and the husband of Milby Ann (Kokosky) Mari, and they were married for 67 years on October 25th. Joe graduated from Liberty High School in 1952 and the vo-tech school with a certificate in drafting. Joe was a veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean War. He worked for the City of Bethlehem starting off as an apprentice draftsman and working his way up to a Section Engineer. He retired in 2011 at the age of 78 after 59 years working for the city. He was the go-to guy for anyone wanting information about the city. Even after retirement he would receive calls from city workers looking for information. Joe was an avid fisherman and loved walking and being outdoors. He always offered the advice...'keep moving' to anyone who asked how he lived as long as he did. He also enjoyed working on cars through the years, with his favorite being a 1969 Corvette Stingray project car, as well as attending many area car shows.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Milby, sons, Thomas Mari, and Joseph Mari and wife Golde, sister-in-law, Eileen Kokosky, and he will be missed by anyone who knew him. He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Lisa Ann, brothers, Carl and John, and sisters, Anna Martin, and Marion Weinpert.

A viewing will be held from 6-8pm Thursday November 13, 2025, at the Connell Funeral Home 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11am on Friday at St. Anne's Catholic Church 450 Washington St. Bethlehem, PA 18017. The burial will be held at Holy Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301 or to St. Anne's Catholic Church.