Joseph P. Toth Jr.

Family man, lifelong educator, God’s servant, Joseph P. Toth Jr, “Joe” to family and friends, was a man for all seasons. God’s loyal servant passed on to his heavenly home on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Trumbull Memorial Hospital, after an extended battle with heart disease.

He was born on November 19, 1939, in Warren, Ohio, to his parents, Mrs. Mary Shenosky Toth and Joseph P. Toth Sr. He was a 1957 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School and a very proud enlistee and member of the Army Reserve Corps. Following his service to his country, Joe enrolled at Youngstown State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education. During this same time, Joe & Bonnie, his wife, met in St. James Catholic Church CYO, (Catholic Youth Organization),  developing a special relationship which led to their marriage in 1963.  They were blessed to have 59 years of marriage together.  After graduation, he then began his lifelong career in education, in the caring for, nurturing, and providing  safe and stimulating environments for all children to learn.  Joe began his teaching career in Matthews Local Schools, continued in Warren City Schools, acquired a master’s degree in education administration at Akron University, and then moved to Lakeview Schools where he was principal at Bazetta Elementary for 31 years. During his tenure at Bazetta, Joe particularly enjoyed watching and having his own daughters grow and further their education until their graduations.

Even in retirement, Joe continued to strive and become involved in new and different venues.  After retirement from public school education, he worked for Youngstown State and Kent State Universities as a student teacher advisor. Being community minded, he also was a member of the Badger School Board, which was responsible for building the new Badger School Complex.  Never letting any grass grow under his feet, Joe had many interests and hobbies including model building and growing roses; he served as President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Warren Rose Society for six years and was very active in the organization for many years.  Joe had a strong religious belief that serving God was just as important as your earthly occupations.  As a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, he was involved in numerous aspects of Parish life.  In 1985, he received the calling to become a deacon in the Catholic Church. He served at St. Elizabeth A. Seton parish and was especially fond of visiting and ministering to the sick at Trumbull Memorial Hospital. Through all of this lifetime of work and activities, the most important thing was Joe’s love of his family, children, and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie Green Toth, daughters Pam Gordon, Sharon Gordon(Alan), and Jennifer DeMao (Michael), along with grandchildren John Gordon, Catriona Gordon, Alan Hunter Gordon, and Isla Rose Gordon and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and  friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents,  sister Genevieve Chachko,  and nephew William Chachko.

A Mass of Christian burial with the Rev. Christopher Cicero officiating and the Rev. John Madden co-celebrating, will take place on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 11:00 am, with calling hours preceding, from 10:00-11:00 am, at St. James Catholic Church in Warren. Burial will follow at All Souls Cemetery in Bazetta.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name to St. Elizabeth A. Seton Church.  Funeral arrangements are being provided by Staton-Borowski Funeral Home in Warren, Ohio.