Deacon Joseph J. Wrabel, 82, of Lower Paxton Township, died Tuesday, May 25, 2021, in the Hospice of Central PA Carolyn’s House.
He was ordained to the diaconate for the Diocese of Harrisburg on June 3, 1978, and served as a deacon at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg.
Deacon Wrabel was also the retired co-owner and chief financial officer of Capital Trailways Bus Company, and a member of the United States Army Reserve.
Deacon Wrabel was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School, attended Mount St. Mary’s College, the University of Scranton and Elizabethtown College, where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
He was an Honorary Graduate of Bishop McDevitt High School and the proud chaplain of the Bishop McDevitt Crusader Football Team for almost 40 years, and a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Harrisburg, where he served as a deacon for 43 years. He was a Fourth Degree Member of J.W. Shanahan General Assembly Knights of Columbus; Holy Name of Jesus Knights of Columbus Council #14081, where he served as Chaplain.
Over the course of 43 years of serving as a permanent deacon, Deacon Wrabel touched the lives of countless individuals through his faith, compassion, kindness, humility, empathy, sympathy and his sincere ability to listen. His commitment to Bishop McDevitt High School enhanced the lives of students, staff and faculty on a consistent basis. He brought many souls back to God through his ministry and celebration of baptisms, Holy Communions, marriages and funerals.
Deacon Wrabel was the son of the late Joseph L. & Irene Regenye Wrabel. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Elaine S. Torquato Wrabel; one daughter, Judy A. Bullock and husband Brian, Harrisburg; two sons, Joseph John Wrabel, Jr. (Jay) and wife Kris, Harrisburg, and Jeffrey P. Wrabel and wife Lori, Harrisburg; six grandchildren, Joey, Jamie, Connor, Ashley, Max and Elise and three cousins. He was preceded in death by a foster brother, Tibor Gaal.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 11 a.m., on the 43rd anniversary of his ordination, at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Harrisburg, with Bishop Ronald Gainer as principal celebrant and Father Edward Quinlan, pastor, as homilist. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.
A viewing will be held in the church on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, from 6-8 p.m. and on Thursday, June 3 from 10-10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Name of Jesus Parochial School, 6190 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17112, Bishop McDevitt High School, 1 Crusader Way, Harrisburg, PA 17111 or Hospice of Central PA, 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
