Obituaries

Myra I. Zoccola, 101 of Palmer Twp., PA passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Vintage Knolls, Danville, PA. Born November 2, 1923 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Albert Weeks and Evelyn (Fortner) Werkheiser Fretz and Raymond Werkheiser. As a child, she could often be found helping her mother and grandmother in their produce stand at the Arcade Market in downtown Easton. She was a graduate of Easton High School, where she was voted best dressed in her class. Myra graduated from Traphagen School of Fashion in NYC and attended the Philadelphia College of Art. While in school, she was featured in the NY Times for her design of one of the first women’s two-piece bathing suits.

Following graduation, she designed children’s clothing in NYC for Luv Brand. After WWII, she returned to Easton and married Frank Zoccola who died in 2001. Myra then worked for Rembrandt Photography Studio, painting photographs and she also worked as the office manager in her husband’s State Farm Insurance office for many years. Myra loved painting with watercolors, swimming in her pool, travelling to Europe with her husband, tending to her flower garden and spending time with family.

She was very special and will be missed very much by her children: Dana Zoccola and Debby James; grandchildren: Darren James and Tara Bingley; and great-grandchildren Hanna, Maia, Owen and Colby.

A Memorial service will be held 4 PM March 15 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 3 to 4 pm. Interment will be private. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard E. Gallagher Jr., 75, of Williams Township, died Saturday, February 1, 2025 in his home.

Born September 9, 1949 in Easton, he was the son of the late Richard E. Gallagher Sr. and Shirley (Vandergrift) Gallagher.

He was a welding  instructor at Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, and for over 20 years a welding instructor at the Career  Institute of Technology. He was a chairman of the American Welding Society and was an avid fisherman.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Peggy (DeBleyker) Gallagher; two daughters, Stacey Gallagher and Dana (Gallagher) Mendoza and her husband Devin; and three grandchildren, Braden Richard, Catherine Grace, and Charlotte Linn. He was predeceased by his sister Elaine (Gallagher) Richards.

Services will be private with interment in Raubsville Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

George M. Esparza, 68, of Phillipsburg, NJ, died Wednesday, January 22, 2025 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Warren Campus. Born December 21, 1956 in San Antonio, Texas, he was the son of the late John and Rebecca (Perez) Esparza. His wife, Rona (Panchuck) Esparza died last year. George owned, operated, and performed with Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus and Wahoo Medicine Show, Phillipsburg. He also was the co-owner and manager of Omni Maintenance, Linden, NJ. George attended Tulane University and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with master’s degrees in business and music. He attended The Juilliard School, New York City and trained under Robert Shaw at the Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ. George’s life was a ministry of music. He was the manager of both the Midland Texas Symphony Orchestra and the Savannah Georgia Symphony Orchestra. He sang in the choir of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton, and was a well known vocalist in the Lehigh Valley where he often performed at nursing homes and care facilities. He was also a member of the Heritage Guild, Easton.

Surviving are his son, Joshua Esparza and his sister, Eunice Aldrich.

A memorial service will held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 22, 2025 in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Roland Wayne Joseph, 92, of Easton, PA died Tuesday, January 21, 2025 in Country Meadows, Forks Twp. Born March 21, 1932 in Wilson Borough, PA, he was the son of the late Samuel and May (Saul) Joseph. He was a 1949 graduate of Easton High School and a 1953 graduate of Colgate University. He and the former Dorothy Hutnik were married on April 1, 1953 in Norwich, NY. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from July 1953 to August 1962, attaining the rank of Captain. Roland was the former manager of Joseph’s Men’s Store in Easton. He joined the firm in October 1955 and remained with the company through its sale in 1978 before retiring in 1992. Roland was a member of the former Temple Covenant of Peace, the Easton Lions Club and the Jewish Community Center, where he served on their Board. He was also a longtime volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the American Cancer Society.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Joseph; his children: Michael Joseph (wife Fujiko) of Wilson Borough, Debra McCall (husband Robert) of Easton, David Joseph (wife Debra) of Bethlehem, PA, Mark Joseph (wife Susan) of Easton, Paul Joseph (wife Kathy) of Tampa, FL; a sister: Marcia Director of Portland, OR; 7 grandchildren and a great grandson.

Services will be private with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Family Service of Lehigh Valley, 2004 Allen St., Allentown, PA 18104 (www.jfslv.org). Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gerald D. McBride, 81 of Bethlehem, PA died Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born March 18, 1943 in Washington, DC, he was a son of the late John W. and Rebecca (Matthews) McBride. He was a 1961 graduate of Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA and received his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at the University of Chicago in 1965. He was employed by ESSO (now ExxonMobil) before retiring in 1998. Gerry spent summers in Ocean Grove, NJ for 45 years, where he was a member of the Auditorium Choir. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Hellertown and a former member of the Asbury UM Church.

He is survived by nieces and nephew: Diane Sloop, Trisha Roscoe, John McBride and extended family: Judy and Barry Willever and Wendi Wence. He was predeceased by his wife Shirley (Hart) McBride in July of 2024 and siblings: David and Howard McBride and Pat Dugan.

A Graveside service will be held 10:30 AM Friday in the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s UM Church, 645 Main St., Hellertown, PA or to Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Assoc. at www.oceangrove.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Amelia M. “Amy” DeNardo 96, of Easton, PA died Sunday, January 12, 2025 at Country Meadows, Forks Twp. Born July 12, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY she was a daughter of the late Mary (Palumbo) and Frank Aiello. Her husband, Louis DeNardo, died in 2018. She was a co-owner, with her husband, of Bi-State Construction, where she worked for many years before retiring. She had also been employed by the Easton Area School District and Lafayette College. Amy was a member of the URWelcome Club and had also volunteered at the Children’s Home of Easton.

She is survived by her four sons: Gregory (wife Arlina) of Easton, PA, Guy (wife Tesa) of Plymouth Meeting, PA, Andrew (wife Diane) of Westfield, IN, and Scott (wife Rae) of Lower Nazareth Twp., PA; a sister: Nancie Hart of Atlanta, GA; and 7 grandchildren: Greg, Camille, Alex, Thomas, Alena, Sydney and Halle.

Mass will be held 10:30 AM Thursday (Jan. 16) at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA with a calling period from 6 to 7:30 PM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc. at www.diabetes.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.