Joseph D Huda

Petersburg – Joseph Donald Huda, 94, passed away peacefully at Covington Skilled Nursing Home in East Palestine, OH, on March 14, 2023, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Helen, children Mindy, Lori and Tom, grandchildren Jane (Juan) Gomez, Molly (Ryan) Lejeune, and Becca (Jeremiah) Broderick, and great grandchildren Brooke, Jack, and Charlie.  He is preceded in death by his brother, Jerry and his son-in-law, Reed.

Joe was born on May 12, 1928, to Joseph and Mary Huda and was a lifelong resident of Petersburg, OH. After returning home from the Korean War, where he served as a sergeant who cooked for generals, he married his sweetheart Helen in 1953.  He worked at the Petersburg Creamery and then served as an inspector for the Ohio State Patrol until his retirement.

 In his younger years he enjoyed pheasant and rabbit hunting with his Brittany spaniels and dancing and roller-skating with Helen. His summers were spent with his family and friends at the Borzick pool, where at night during cook-outs he relished in scaring children with his original masterpiece story The Man with the Golden Arm and his personal adaptation of The Creature of the Black Lagoon.

Building off his culinary skills from the army and family recipes, Joe loved cooking for his family and friends.  His specialties included holubky (always including a final pig count), haluski and hot chicken noodle soup. He was also quite proud of his poached egg (1 minute in boiling water). No matter what time of night his visiting family would arrive, he would always have food ready and served by the time they got in the door.

Joe had a passion for family and the racetrack. When friends Ed and Fran would call, he would be out the door faster than the wind (he was a state champion in Track & Field in high school, after all).  He  always miraculously managed to break even – the man had a true gift. Off the track, he dedicated much time to his critters over the years – quail and rabbits, the latter of which he bred extensively. Any wild creature he caught, he would load into the backseat of his old Cobalt and cruise on down to the Petersburg Cemetery to release.

Joe rarely missed an opportunity to nab the unmanned microphone to serenade the crowd with his song of choice, “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire.” Not only did he have a beautiful singing voice, he had a beautiful soul, caring deeply for his wife, family and friends. His inappropriate jokes, quick wit and loving presence will be missed by many but forgotten by none.

A funeral service for Joe will be held Saturday, March 18, at 11:00 am at the Clemente Funeral Home at 10170 Main Street in New Middletown, OH, 44442.  Calling hours are at the funeral home prior to the service from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

The family requests that material tributes in Joe’s name go to the East Palestine Community Foundation at P.O. Box 42, East Palestine, OH, 44413 or East Palestine Social Concerns in care of Barb Lynch at 375 East Grant Street Apt. 7 in East Palestine, OH, 44413.

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