Obituary of Joseph F. Soforic

Joseph Franklin "Bud" Soforic, 79, of Mt. Pleasant died suddenly on Monday, March 19th 2018 while vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was born June 28, 1938 to Joseph and Mary Kattera Soforic and has been a resident of Mount Pleasant his entire life. Bud loved life and had a full life. Family and faith were deeply important to him. He was a member of St. Pius Church. Audrey Shaffer Soforic was his wife of 58 years. He had a special place in his heart for his sons, nieces, nephews and grandchildren with whom he spent much of his time. Big hugs, silly jokes and fun stories from Bud were mandatory and expected by all. Bud was a self-made man. After graduating from Ramsay High School in 1956, he started his career as an apprentice working 3 days a week at $1.00 per hour. He worked without pay the other two days learning to set type by hand. He continued to work his way up the ladder and eventually became President of the Mount Pleasant Publishing Corporation that encompassed six weekly newspapers; a monthly Scene Magazine; and a dance studio photography business. His primary mentor during his work years was Ralph Hernley, owner of Mount Pleasant Publishing, who served not only as a boss but also as a second father to him. During his career, Bud served as board member for the Printing Industry of Pennsylvania, President of the Laurel Highlands Corporation, and Director of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers. At the age of 70, Bud sold the Laurel Group Newspapers, of which he was a majority stock owner, to the Tribune Review and moved on to enjoy his retirement. His second home and "special place" was at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Once Bud retired, he spent his summers at the lake where he could enjoy, as he said " the good life". Lake time meant "family time" where Bud enjoyed being with his family, as well as the Kastner family. This is a place where family comes to simply be together. Bud's favorite way to end the day was watching the sunset on the deck with a glass of wine. Wonderful memories of him here will always be held close to our hearts. Joseph "Bud" Soforic is preceded in death by his son Joseph Todd Soforic, his parents, Joseph and Mary Soforic, his three sisters, Irene Kammerer, Dorothy Hank, Emily Tartal. He is survived by his wife Audrey Shaffer Soforic, his son John Soforic and wife Patti, his grandchildren Kristen and Michael Soforic; and his sister Marie Larko. Family and friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 p.m. at the Galone-Caruso Funeral Home, 204 Eagle Street, Mount Pleasant. A blessing service will be held Saturday at 12:30 PM in the funeral home followed by a 1:00 PM Funeral Mass in St. Pius X. R.C. Church, Mount Pleasant, with the Rev. Richard J. Kosisko as celebrant. Interment will be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. A parish wake service will be held on Friday at 3PM in the funeral home. To offer an online condolence, please visit our web site at: www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com