Joseph J. Ciminera Sr. | Accountant, planner, 79

Joseph J. Ciminera Sr., 79, an accountant and financial planner, died of brain cancer at his home in Springfield, Delaware County, on Sunday.

An accountant for 44 years, in 1992 he founded his firm, Ciminera & Associates, on Baltimore Pike near Route 320, which continues in operation.

Mr. Ciminera also had been an insurance agent and a real estate agent.

A 1947 graduate of Bartram High School, he worked at General Electric before enlisting in the Air Force and flying on combat missions as a bomber's machine gunner during the Korean War.

"His Italian heritage was a source of great pride," nourished by visits to his parents' hometown in the province of Avellino, said his son, Joseph Jr. "Upon his return from many trips to Italy, he delighted in sharing [stories about] the beauty, history, art, architecture, music and food of Italy."

Besides his son, Mr. Ciminera is survived by his wife, Dolores; a son, Gregory; daughters Patrice Torres, Tina Mendenhall, Jennie and Valerie; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his longtime companion, Eleanor Russell.

A viewing is to take place today from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cavanagh-Patterson Funeral Home, 43 E. Baltimore Ave., Media, and tomorrow from 9 a.m. at the Church of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Fairview Road between MacDade Boulevard and Route 320, Swarthmore.

A 10 a.m. Funeral Mass will follow the viewing at the church tomorrow. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon.