Joseph Robert Blatnica

Joe is survived by his sister, Joan; his children Jennifer, Joseph, Michael, Kristina, Anthony; his grandchildren Andrew, Clemson, Camrie, Marina, Nathaniel, Hannah, Aaron, Jacob, Xavier, Brandon, Kyle, Sabrina; and his beloved dog Jesse. Joe was predeceased by his father Joseph Alexander and mother Julia Evancho, his wife Gerardine, and his son Douglas.

Joe was born on September 7, 1940 to Joseph and Julia Blatnica in his beloved city of Pittsburgh, PA, in the suburb of Homestead. To those who knew him, he bled Yellow and Black until the end. Joe graduated from Duquesne University in 1962, with a BS in Management, and had a smile on his face when he was told they had won a huge upset in the first round of this year’s Men’s NCAA basketball tournament. He joined the US Army in 1962 and proudly served 24+ yrs, including his combat tours in Vietnam with the Mobile Riverine Force, 9th Infantry Division 1968-69.

Joe met his future wife, Gerardine Haug, in 1963, at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, PA. At the time she was also in the US Army and Geri even out ranked him! They were married there on August 8, 1964. They had many moves due to Army life, and eventually had six children, Jenny, Joey, Mike, Tina, Douglas, and Tony. Needless to say, family dinners were always a challenge fighting over seconds!

While in the Army, he graduated from Syracuse University with an MBA in Finance in 1975. He had overseas Tours in Germany and Korea. He retired from the US Army in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel. After leaving the Army, he became the Director for Managed Care/Deputy CFO at Scott & White Memorial Hospital & TX A&M Medical School, Temple, TX 1987, before retiring in 2001 to Wimberley, TX.

Joe was an avid sports fan, who loved his Pittsburgh Steelers and San Antonio Spurs. Many a visit with his children and grandchildren were spent watching basketball or football games or talking about scores. He was also an avid golfer; one of the reasons he retired to Woodcreek in Wimberley…..the golf course. He was an avid collector of golf balls and an ace putter! He loved his 1962 Corvette and his dogs over the decades, all of them Sharpei’s: Suki, Sookie, Belle, and Jesse. Joe had a particular sense of humor, and when dad laughed, it made us all laugh. It is one of many things his family will miss about him. And for those who knew him, he REALLY loved black pepper on his food.

At the end, he was able to visit with all of his children before his passing, and his best friend Russ flew out to see him before he passed. Dad, we will all miss your laugh, your willingness to help all of your children, and the loud snoring, as you would always fall asleep on the couch or chair at family get togethers. We love you pops!

A memorial will be held on April 19th, at 2:30 pm, with a full military funeral and interment at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery, in San Antonio.

To view Mr. Blatnica's service please click here