Joseph R. Sapone | Retired educator, 78

Joseph R. Sapone, 78, a former history department chairman and labor union official at Great Valley High School, died of cancer Thursday at Paoli Hospital.

Mr. Sapone, of Malvern, taught for 31 years, first at Conestoga High School, from 1961 to 1963.

At Great Valley, where he spent the rest of his career, Mr. Sapone taught American history, anthropology, behavioral sciences, black history and sociology.

He was adviser to the student council and black student union.

Mr. Sapone was president of the Great Valley chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, editor-in-chief of the union newspaper, and an officer with the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers.

A 1947 graduate of West Catholic High School, he served in the Air Force in England, then graduated from Villanova University with bachelor's and master's degrees.

After his 1992 retirement, he grew and designed bonsai, opening a retail store, Bonsai Etc., in Phoenixville in 2000. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Bonsai Society and the Susquehanna Bonsai Club.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; two brothers; two sisters; three nephews; a great-niece; and a great-nephew.

A viewing is to take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Devlin-Rosmos-Kepp Funeral Home, Main Street and Fourth Avenue, Phoenixville.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 148 Church St., Phoenixville. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken.