Joseph M. Barilla, 54, Was the 'Wingman' at So. Lehigh Sporting Events

Joseph M. Barilla, 54, of Coopersburg died Monday, Nov. 18, 2013 after fighting a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. Born in Levittown, Pa., Joe was the son of Charlotte (Bossard) Barilla of Lehighton and the late Richard Barilla. He was the husband of Lynn W. (Weidlich) Barilla for 28 years and the loving father to daughter Megan of Warrington, Pa., and Jacob of Coopersburg. Joe was a graduate of Lehighton Area High School and attended Williamsport Community College. He worked for Sysco Food and his passion was food and cooking. Joe was known as the “Wingman” for the great food he cooked up at the Southern Lehigh High School sporting events. You could always find Joe working in the garden, or making homemade wine. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Coopersburg, where he ran the parish center for four years. He was a member of the Nis Hollow Hunting Club, Lehighton, and was also a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

Survivors: Wife, daughter, son, sisters: Debra wife of Brad Doll and Kathy Millen wife of Nik Millen, both of Lehighton.

Services: A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5050 St. Josephs Road, Coopersburg. Call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. Arrangements are by Stephens Funeral Home Inc., Allentown. Please share online condolences at www.stephensfuneral.com. 

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association, P.O. Box 55071 #15530, Boston, MA 02205 or the Lehigh County Humane Society, 640 Dixon St., Allentown, PA 18103.