Joseph Casmer Sroka

Joseph C. Sroka, age 78, passed away on January 16, 2022.  He was born on October 31, 1943 to the late Joseph John and Sophie (Kosciolek) Sroka, in Palmerton, Pennsylvania.

Joe enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from high school in Lansford, PA.  He was assigned to the Intelligence division in Washington, DC during the late 1960’s. Joe was a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S.), Eastern Kentucky University (M.S.), and North Carolina Central University (J.D.).  He was a professor in the Criminal Justice Department, first at Wytheville (VA) Community College, then at North Carolina Central University, where he taught for 38 years.  Joe’s years as a police officer in Lansford, PA, prior to his study of Criminal Justice, provided him with real-life experiences that he often shared with his students, many of whom hold positions in law enforcement in Durham and beyond.

A member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Durham, Joe was “a regular” in attendance at the 8:30 Sunday mass until his recent health issues made in-person attendance too difficult for him. His favorite pastimes included deer hunting, riding his Harley Davidson Anniversary Edition Softail, and spending countless hours “building and fixing” in his shed/workshop in the back yard. Joe loved making road trips to Florida, which enabled him to spend precious time with his two oldest grandchildren in Orlando, and to visit family in Sarasota. Becoming “Papa Joe” to all of his grandchildren was one of the greatest satisfactions of his life.

Joe was particularly wonderful at bringing people together. A transplant to NC from PA, Joe and Mary built a family among their neighbors. With his own personal style of aggressive hospitality (meeting you at the door with a drink in hand, strongly suggesting you stay for dinner), Joe and Mary’s home became a place where lasting relationships took root, and their neighborhood became a loving community that thrives today.

Joe will be remembered for his elaborate stories, many of which had history in his parents’ bar room in Lansford, PA. It was there that he learned how to play the accordion, a skill which he shared with those he loved in the form of Christmas songs, neighborhood caroling, and polkas at Holy Supper. Joe had an incredible sense of humor and an innate ability to make anyone laugh. He was also generous to a fault and would do anything for a friend.

Joe is survived by Mary, his wife of 47 years, his son Michael Sroka (Iara) of Orlando, FL, daughter Erin Sroka McClain (Roderick) of Seattle, WA, and daughter Dana Thomson (Billy) of Raleigh, NC, and five grandchildren: Lucas and Olivia Sroka, Harlan and Ruby McClain, and Emersyn Thomson.  Joe is also survived by his sisters Connie Mihalko of Sarasota, FL, and Dianne Manula (Charles) of Pottstown, PA, nephews Ronald Mihalko of Kohler, Wisconsin, Mark Mihalko (Jennifer) of Lehighton, PA, Charles Manula (Nicole) of Anchorage, AK, and nieces Ann Mooney (Seth) of Sarasota, FL, Joelyn Goddard (Nick) of Virginia Beach, VA, and Jenna (Walker) Linares of Ardmore, PA, as well as many grand- nieces and grand-nephews.  Joe is predeceased by his parents and grandparents, his brother-in-law Ronald Mihalko, a niece Kim Mihalko, and a granddaughter, Charlotte Thomson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Carolina Central University Foundation - Criminal Justice Scholarship #205 in Joseph's memory by accessing this link: https://www.nccu.edu/institutional-advancement/giving-online. 

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Durham, on Saturday, 1/29/22, at 3:00 PM. Burial will take place at a to-be-determined time in the family plot in Pennsylvania.

The Sroka family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.  Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com— select obituaries.