Atty. Joseph Paul Coviello

Atty. Joseph Paul Coviello, 74 years, formerly of Clarks Summit, died Saturday at Allied Skilled Nursing Facility from complications with Parkinson’s Disease, after a 25 year battle. He was the husband of Anne Catherine Marie Snyder. The couple was married over 45 years.

Born July 4, 1949 in Scranton, he was the son of the late Leonard and Antoinette (Romano) Coviello. He was a 1967 graduate of Scranton Central High School. In 1970 he received his dual undergraduate degrees, within three years, from The Pennsylvania State University: a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. He studied and researched closely with Professor Edward Keynes and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He was awarded the Gene Block Memorial Award in Political Science which is presented to the outstanding pre-law graduate. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. While in law school, Joe worked for White and Williams, one of Philadelphia’s premier defense law firms.

An alumnus of Penn State, he was a proud football season ticket holder and enjoyed fall weekends with his children and friends in State College. Joe was a sports fan more broadly and had many treasured memories of spending time with his father especially watching and listening to Yankees games. Also a fan of the cinema, he fondly recalled taking in films with his mother in downtown Scranton.

Atty. Coviello was a prominent area lawyer who proudly served his many clients who received favorable decisions. He maintained his home law office in Clarks Summit and specialized in personal injury practice, notably as co-founder of Coviello & Miller. He was a member of the Lackawanna County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, and Pennsylvania trial lawyer Board of Governors, enabling him to try cases before the middle District of Pennsylvania and The United States Supreme Court. He was a pioneering early adopter of law firm advertising, among the first to advertise on public television and in phone books. He proudly served as council with F. Lee Bailey in the trial of a local murder case. During the trial, the presiding judge interrupted to announce his admittance to the Pennsylvania bar.

In addition to his success in private practice, Joe served on the Lackawanna County Board of Assessors, the Dunmore School Board solicitor, the board of directors for the former National Bank of Olyphant, and as a 2012 delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He was a community activist and volunteered with area fund drives. He was an active ambassador for the Parkinson Disease Foundation at Allied Services, Scranton, and was proud to have established a support group for those with Parkinson’s Disease.

A faithfully devoted Catholic man, he never lost his faith when life presented adversity and illness. Suffering with his Parkinson’s, his loving wife Anne suffered a life altering stroke. The couple faced their illnesses and struggles together. He was an active member of Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Clarks Summit, having served on the parish finance council, actively volunteering for many years at the parish Country Bazaar. Joe and his wife charitably hosted Christmas parties at the church for the local children.

The Coviello family hosted many gatherings at their home, such as political gatherings, social and community events, prayer groups, and fund raisers. They hosted countless groups involving his children, who so treasure and hope to embody his gregarious and inclusive nature. Joe particularly enjoyed Thursday nights for playing cards and bocce with family and friends. He established the 25 years annual running Coviello Family Bocce Tournament in the cherished Coviello Pavilion. Joe enjoyed vacationing with his family and best family friends on Hilton Head Island. He loved his family dearly, his wife and children, and dearly loved his four grandchildren who he visited often and was a great supporter of their success. He was particularly proud that his three children followed in his footsteps by attending and graduating from Penn State.

Surviving are two sons, Leonard and wife Christina, Old Forge; and Jack and wife Annie Coviello, South Abington Twp. A daughter, Gabrielle Tomachick and husband, Ryan, Clarks Summit. Sister, Connie Flaherty of Tampa, Fla. Four grandchildren, Kellan and Grady Tomachick, Gretta Rogan, and Lily Coviello.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard Coviello; four sisters, Lucille Coviello Mayer, Josephine Coviello, Ann Coviello, and Carmine Castanzo.

Joe and his family offer sincerest thanks to the skilled health care practitioners and aides who supported him in his passing and the years preceding.

The funeral will be Thursday with Mass of Christian burial at 9:30 a.m. to be celebrated by Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn, pastor, at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St., Clarks Summit, Pa. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. The family will receive family and friends Wednesday 4 to 7 p.m. at Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service Inc., 111 Colburn Ave., Clarks Summit, Pa. 18411.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 4777, New York NY 10163.