Joseph "Joe" Ferrainola, 65, of Mercer PA, passed away Monday, December 10, 2018 at 12:15 A.M. in the comfort of his home following a prolonged illness.

Joe was born in Kaiserslautern, Germany on November 3, 1953 to Gerda and Sam Ferrainola. Joe was a graduate of North Alleghany High School (1971) in Western, PA and continued his education at Lincoln University where he obtained his Masters Degree in Human Services. Joe met the love of his life, Jan, in Glen Mills, PA, and they married on June 10, 1978. This past year they celebrated their 40th anniversary. Joe and Jan welcomed their first son Damian Ferrainola in 1983 followed by their second son Justin Ferrainola in 1985. Joe began his career at Glen Mills School in 1974 where he moved quickly up the ranks to become the Director of Special Services. Throughout his tenure at Glen Mills School Joe oversaw the operation of several departments. He was the Head Coach at Glen Mills School from 1987 to 1992, and again from 2003 to 2004. During this time, Joe opened his own consulting and training firm, Field Systems, Inc. (1981 to 2016), which trained various businesses and job corps in the Sociological Model of Normative Systems and Group Dynamics. After leaving Glen Mills in 2006, Joe went on to open YES Academy (Youth Educational Services of PA.LCC) in Mercer, PA. YES Academy would serve as a residential treatment facility for juvenile offenders. The amount of lives that Joe changed through is work at Glen Mills School and YES Academy is immeasurable. Kids that Joe coached or mentored over 30 years ago would still call and visit to check and see how the man "who saved their life" was doing. He was a man who truly believed in second chances and worked every day to provide opportunities to those who felt like they had none. Outside his career, Joe had a deep passion for music that took off in 1974 with his band "A Buzz Band" and would continue to grow as the years moved forward. He would later go on to start "Scoundrel" with his dear friend Jim Moore that would last for several years. Joe also had a deep passion for sports, which is reflected by his many years of coaching at Glen Mills School but he also truly enjoyed coaching his son's baseball and football teams throughout the years.

He was the son of the late Sam and Gerda Ferrainola, and brother to the late Jim Ferrainola and Rita Schlett.

SURVIVORS: His loving wife: Jan Ferrainola; sons: Damian (Lara) Ferrainola and Justin Ferrainola; granddaughters: Mila and Evelyn Ferrainola; sisters: Rose (Tom) Hurst and Theresa Williams and family; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Joe was a beloved husband, father, "Pop-Pop", brother, son, uncle, friend, coach, mentor and boss. He will be missed by many, and his passions and spirit will carry on in all those who were touched by him.

VISITATION: Thursday, December 20, 2018 from 5:00-6:15 pm at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Avenue Aston, PA 19014.

FUNERAL LITURGY: Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 6:30 pm at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home.

BURIAL: Private

Begins: Dec 20, 2018 6:30pm - 7:00pm