Joseph Patrick Acri, 77, passed away unexpectedly on November 3, 2025, at his home in Enola, PA. He was born on September 27, 1948, at Harrisburg Hospital, Harrisburg, PA and was the son of the late Ovidio Acri of Enola and Edith Sullivan Acri formerly of Camden, NJ. Joe was the loving husband of Rita Passalacqua Acri formerly of Hershey, PA. Together they shared 50 years of marriage and celebrated their Golden Anniversary on January 11, 2025.
Joe attended St. Lawrence Elementary School, K-8 in Harrisburg, PA and graduated from Trinity High School, Camp Hill, PA in their first graduating Class of 1966. After graduation, he entered the United States Air Force and served from 1967-1970. He was assigned to the 303 Munitions Maintenance Squadron in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, 1969-1970, achieving the rank of Sergeant, and was honorably discharged from the service in September of 1970. In Bien Hoa, Joe worked on the Cessna A-37 “Dragonfly” Fighter Support Jet as a weapons specialist/bomb loader on the A-37 B Model which supported ground forces during the Vietnam War.
Upon his return from Military Service, Joe attended Harrisburg Area Community College receiving an Associate in Arts degree, and Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg Campus, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. From 1971-1974, he took part-time employment at the Tractor Supply Company and the Camp Hill School District.
From 1974-1979, Joe was a manager responsible for General Operations at the IBM Pennsylvania Employees Federal Credit Union. In 1978, he began attending Saint Francis College in Loretto, PA and graduated in 1981with his Master of Arts degree in Industrial/Labor Relations and Personnel Administration. In 1978-1980 at Automatic Data Processing, Valley Forge, PA Joe assisted customers in the areas of personnel and unemployment compensation issues.
Joe worked at the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, PSBA in New Cumberland, PA from 1980-1997 as Senior Consultant, Management Services. He designed management compensation plans, assisted with personnel related issues, served as chief spokesperson for labor negotiations and advised on contract administration. Joe also designed and implemented compensation programs for administrators that continued to be a major source of non-dues income for PSBA.
In 1997 until his retirement in 2013, Joe was Assistant Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, referred to as the Pennsylvania Principals Association. Joe supervised membership, provided assistance to the members on a variety of legal and operational problems involving school buildings and school districts. He prepared the budget for the Executive Director and Board of Directors, served as their registered lobbyist, and coordinated marketing efforts and membership conferences/functions for the association. Through mail, a web page, broadcast fax and magazines, Joe and his dedicated staff increased member communication.
During his career, Joe was a member of the American Compensation Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, and the Society of Association Executives. He was a Certified Compensation Professional from the American Compensation Association and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the Society for Human Resource Management.
After retirement, Joe became an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 542 at 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA. As a retired Air Force Vietnam Veteran, he and his fellow veterans kept the Vietnam Veteran History alive as they shared with one another, but most importantly, as they spoke about their experiences in local high schools throughout Central Pennsylvania. Joe was an active member of the Bien Hoa Vietnam Veterans, Bien Hoa Air Base Reunion Group, and traveled across the country to attend reunions yearly. He also was an active member of the Cessna A-37 “Dragonfly” Association composed of members who had any affiliation with the Cessna A-37 Fighter Support Jet. These two groups were instrumental in helping Joe navigate the paperwork to obtain his Veteran Administration, VA Benefits.
Joe was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Enola, PA. He led a life of Service Leadership, improving the lives of others and was devoted to his Family, Friends, State and Country.
Joe was a member of the Enola Sportsman’s Association since 1999 and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Post 7415 in New Cumberland, PA since 1995.
He was an avid Street Rod enthusiast, rebuilding and driving Street Rods which were modified cars and trucks manufactured before 1949. This gave Joe a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Joe is survived by his loving wife, Rita P. Acri of Enola; daughters Joanna M. (Gregory) Burrows of Dillsburg and Jeannine T. (Timothy) Czekaj of Shermans Dale; Grandchildren, Jeffrey J. Czekaj, Joseph W. Burrows, Evan L. Czekaj, Catherine D. Czekaj and Leo J. Burrows; a Sister, Janice (John) Sherer of State College, PA; Brother, James A. Acri of Palm Springs, California; Niece, Anneliese Alexandre of Longmont, CO; and Nephew, John A. Sherer of San Antonio, Texas.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday Evening, November 12, 2025, in the Social Hall of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 225 Salt Road, Enola, PA 17025 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM with Rosary at 5:30 PM beforehand.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM. A live stream of the Mass can be viewed on youtube.com at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Enola, PA. Breakfast will be served immediately following the Mass in the Fr. John Acri Parish Center from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
At 1 PM, Family and Friends proceed to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Road, Annville, PA 17003 with a 2 PM Burial.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111.
You may send condolences via the Online Guest Book at: www.sullivanfuneralservices.com
At the family’s request, please provide favorite written memories of Joe for a future Memory Book. You may email them to family members or place your sheet in a marked tray at the breakfast.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Acri family.
9 comments on “Joseph Patrick Acri”
We are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Praying for peace and comfort for your family.
Sincerely, Gary and Bonnie Wallish
Rita, Jannine and Joanna,
My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family with the loss of a truly loving man. Keep those fond memories close at this time and in the future. With love, Jean Zimmerman
Having worked with Joe for five years at the Principals Association, I came to know him quiet well. My memories of him are both humorous and poignant.
Joe was quite large in stature and built like a bear. He tried hard to present himself as the gruff taskmaster, but it only took a short time to learn that Teddy was really inside. His stories of growing up on the family farm were priceless. Who else but Joe would take a calf to the Carlisle stock auction in the back seat of his old Chevy? When asked about the potential mess, he simply replied, “Hey, I needed the money.” His Vietnam stories were all about the fun times like foil wrapping his breakfast eggs that he didn’t have time to eat in the mess hall and stacking them on the manifold of the jeep to stay hot. It brought a whole new meaning to greasy eggs. If the other guys didn’t know how to perform that trick, he would just shrug and say, “We all had to learn.” The descriptions of waking up with a hangover and sneaking into the cockpit of a jet fighter to suck up some pure oxygen were priceless. But, underlying the funny stories it was obvious that Vietnam was a formative experience. The lifelong connections to the other guys in his unit were strong and extremely meaningful. He also talked about coming home kind of lost. He wasn’t motivated to do anything except stay out late and sleep in even later. When his father told him that he had to get a job, go to school or find another place to live, he said he had a enlightening moment. Off to Harrisburg Community College he went. The opportunities soon followed, most importantly meeting Rita Passalacqua.
The real Joe showed himself when he talked about his family. Most important were Rita, Joanna and Jeannine; there was nothing too good for each of them. His tales of Rita as a packrat were greatly exaggerated, but did you ever look in his garage? He was so proud of Rita’s work as a math teacher and union leader. Head shaking tales about the girls were always followed up with their latest accomplishments in academics and athletics. Of course those topics waned when the grandchildren became his whole world. He worried aloud about the health of his parents-in-law and cousins and distant relatives. And he had his funny stories about making Christmas cookies in a turkey fryer in the backyard.
He was totally committed to ensuring that Rita and the girls had the best life possible. He tried to be a gruff old bear, but all three of them knew exactly how to wrap him around their finger to achieve their desired result. One of his proudest accomplishments was to buy a place at the shore. It wasn’t for him, but rather about how the family would be able to use it for years to come long after he was gone. It was about creating quality family time. After I retired we would meet a couple times a year for lunch. The tales of grandkids along with pictures were the featured attraction. But, so too were stories of trips to West Virginia to go hunting with Jeannine’s in-laws.
Joe was quite a guy. A pretend persona like Mr. Gruff, but a heart of marshmallow cream. The world is a much poorer place without Joe in it. He will be remembered and missed by all that knew him. Just remember, though, he is in a better place telling everyone funny stories and most of all assuring them that Rita was always right all along.
Dan Collins
Rita, my heart aches for you. Joe was a kind, loving man. I saw how caring he was with your mom. I know he was a fun grandpa to your grandkids. And most of all he was a special husband to you! Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Love, Steph P. Verdelli
Dear Rita, Joanna, Jeannine, and families,
George and I were shocked and saddened to learn of Joe’s passing.
We are thinking of you and wishing you peace and comfort as you mourn the loss of your husband and father.
If we can help you during this difficult time, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Our deepest condolences,
Lynn and George Baddorf
Dear Rita, Joanna, Jeannine, and Family,
Tony and I send our heartfelt sympathy, love, and prayers to your entire family at this difficult time.
Joe was the perfect example of a
life well-lived, and a heart
well-loved. Joe lived his faith as seen in his love for others, and his selfless service to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
We will truly miss his kindness and friendship. God Bless Your Beautiful
Family. Love,
Debbie,Tony, and Family
Rita and family,
Our deepest condolences to you all on the loss of Joe. Always got a wave when we would see him in the neighborhood. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers and may all your memories bring you some peace and comfort.
Jeannine and Tim. Jan and I extend our deepest sympathies to all of you. Our brief interaction with your dad was all fun and could see he was so proud of you and your family. If there is anything we can do please let us know. You will be in our prayers. God bless you all
Joe Acri, a good man, a loving husband, father and Poppy. His wife Rita and I have known each other since kindergarten. Joe and Rita were true soulmates and I spent many good times with them. I remember their wedding, the birth of both daughters and many other memories. To Joe’s family….memories will live lovingly in your hearts forever. Joe would want you to remember the good times…and especially times of laughter and love. The way I remember Joe is smiling and laughing with a twinkle in his eye. God bless you.