Joseph R. Poliafico of Wallingford passed away suddenly but peacefully on February 26th with his wife Shawn (Green) at his side. He was the youngest son of the late Joseph Poliafico Sr. and Violet Gabriel Poliafico. He was born in Chester. PA and from the age of 10 grew up in Upland, where he lived for most of his life. He attended St. Anthony of Padua Parish School and later Saint James High School for Boys where he graduated in the Class of 1965.
After graduation he worked at Scott Paper Company in Chester and then Boeing Vertol in Ridley Township. He also worked part time as a police officer in Upland Borough and later Brookhaven Pa from 1968 to 1975. In 1970 he began a 30-year career at the DuPont Experimental Station in Delaware and happily retired in 2000. Although retired, he continued to work and do what he enjoyed most, serving people. Aside from the many paid jobs, his true calling was as a volunteer firefighter with the Upland Fire Company. He volunteered at the age of 16 and for the next 30 plus years became a Life & Honorary Member. During his tenure with the department, he achieved the rank of Assistant Chief and Chief from 1993 to 1997. He also continued to serve as the Borough Fire Marshal for the town of Upland as well as serving on town council. His entire life was dedicated to serving others often leaving the dinner table or Holiday party to answer a call because someone needed assistance. He often told stories about the various fires he was on and always told the story of how one night on a multi-alarm fire in the City of Chester during the winter where he was literally frozen to the hand-line.
When his beloved high school, Saint James Catholic High School for Boys closed in 1993, he was right there to lend a hand and keep the spirit of Saint James alive! Along with his classmates and fellow Bulldogs, he worked tirelessly to help get the Alumni Association established. For 15-years he was Vice President of the Association and he participated in just about every committee and activity of the organization. He championed the annual Turkey Drive during Thanksgiving and helped re-establish the Varsity Club II which coordinated events such as the Memorial Mass, the Toy Drive at Christmas to help those less unfortunate and numerous other endeavors. Jody was most proud of serving on the Alumni organization’s scholarship committee which raised nearly $2 million dollars for catholic education.
In addition to his community service after retirement, he used his vivacious personality to briefly work as a limousine driver where many of his repeat clients would personally request him because they knew Jody would take great care of them. He also demonstrated his genuine concern for others while working as an assistant at several area funeral homes until he was sidelined with a back injury in 2015. He never stopped caring for people.
He is survived by his wife Shawn, his sons Joe (Heidi) and Brian (Kristen) and his precious grandchildren Lauren , Miranda, Joseph and Ava. Additionally, he is survived by his brother Frank (Margaret) and their children Julie and Katie, as well as numerous close cousins, nieces, nephews and Godchildren.
Jody was a man of deep faith in God and very dedicated to his Catholic church. He was a true family man. His sacrifices for his family will be felt for generations through the love he had for his wife of 54-years, his sons and grandchildren. He never missed any events for his children and would often be seen on the sidelines helping coach or running out on the field to help an injured player. Yes, Jody did it all and loved everyone he met. He will be forever missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Jody’s life on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Our Lady of Charity Church, 231 Upland Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015. Visitation will be held from 9am – 11am with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Interment will immediately follow at Immaculate Heart Cemetery next to his parents in Linwood, PA.
Fire Department apparatus and uniformed personnel are requested to participate in the procession and should contact Upland Fire Company Chief Jeff Hill at 484-798-5631.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the St. James Alumni Association Scholarship Fund (1499 E. 9th Street, Eddystone, PA 19022) or the Upland Fire Company (1 McClintock Drive, Upland, PA 19015)