Joseph Skrapits, 98, formerly of Allentown, died Sept. 2, 2024, at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth. He was the husband of the late Carmella (Bartolotta) Skrapits for 73 years.

Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Karl and Julia (Filipovits) Skrapits, immigrants from Austria-Hungary.

In 1943, he graduated from Nazareth High School and played on a winning baseball team coached by the legendary Andy Leh. He graduated in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Lafayette College.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday in 1944. He trained as a radio technician and aviation ordinance man and was promoted to petty officer before his honorable discharge in 1946.

He worked as an electrical engineer for General Electric, specializing in microwave technology at plants in Schenectady, N.Y., and Scranton. He also worked for Western Electric (later Lucent) in microwave communications. He retired in 1985.

He was a parishioner at Cathedral Church of St. Catherine of Siena, Allentown.

He volunteered with the Lucent Pioneers.

He is survived by four children, Joseph with Susan Weaver of Allentown, Luci Ann Merlo of Blacksburg, Va., Rose Lounsbury of Allentown and Joni Jackson with Bryan of Nazareth; two grandchildren, Joseph Zipper with Julia of Arlington, Va., and Anna Tabah with Trevor of Wilmington, Del.; and two brothers, Leo and Louis.

He was predeceased by a brother, Charles; and two sisters, Rose Nemeth and Maryanne Mengel.

Arrangements were made by Stephens Funeral Home Inc., Allentown.