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Joseph Nohra, YSU and Ursuline alumnus, dies
By Denise Dick
LIBERTY
Some of those who knew him well describe the late Joseph Nohra, who died Monday at his home, as a man of faith, the epitome of family, a tremendous leader and an inspiration.
Nohra, 79, served as a deacon at Mount Carmel Church and at St. Maron. He was a Youngstown State University trustee and board chairman, and a trustee of the YSU Foundation.
Nohra retired in 2000 as chief financial officer of the Cafaro Co.
“He was truly one of those individuals who was respected and loved by so many in our company, as well as in our community. He was with the Cafaro organization for nearly 50 years, serving as our vice president of finance until his retirement ...,” a statement from the company said.
“The members of the Cafaro family offer their prayers and deepest condolences for Mr. Nohra’s family.”
Arrangements are by the Schiavone Funeral Home. The Cafaro Co. statement said visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, both at St. Maron Parish. The funeral will follow immediately after the Saturday service.
“Joe Nohra is probably one of the finest human beings I have ever known,” said Scott Schulick, who attended Ursuline High School with Nohra’s youngest son.
“He was the epitome of family, friendship, faith and community all wrapped up into one. Everything he did in his life he did 110 percent simultaneously.”
Schulick got to know the whole Nohra family through his school mate. Nohra was a big supporter of Ursuline and of YSU, having graduated from both.
“He raised eight children, was the financial officer at a major mall developer, was involved in his churches and served on numerous boards and committees,” Schulick said. He had 23 grandchildren.
Pat Palombo, director for development and stewardship at the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, said Nohra served not only as a deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel but also on the foundation board for the diocese and the financial council.
“One of the things about Deacon Joe, which is what I fondly called him, he was an outstanding family man. He really was very much involved with his children and grandchildren,” Palombo said.
“He and his wife, Betty, were real models for what church parents are all about. It was so touching to be at occasions with their family.”
Betty Nohra died in 2006. After her death, Anthony and Phyllis Cafaro donated $100,000 to YSU in her memory.
In 2007, YSU named the resource center in its nursing program the Betty C. Nohra Student Resource Center.
“He was an incredible man, very inspirational,” Palombo said.
When Paul McFadden first became director of the YSU Foundation, Nohra was a board member. The foundation bestowed emeritus status on Nohra in 2013.
“I knew him for years as a university trustee and through the foundation.” McFadden said.
“He was a tremendous leader.”
Besides serving as a permanent deacon for 40 years at St. Maron’s, Nohra also was a church administrator and member of both the St. Maron’s Education Foundation and the Knights of St. Maron’s, serving as treasurer of both organizations.
William George, also a deacon at St. Maron’s, said he’s known Nohra for as long as he can remember.
“He was a great man who was forthright and also understood the needs of the community, the parish, his friends and family,” George said.
“Family and God always came first.”
Nohra was a role model for George and taught him both how to be a deacon and what that means.
Nohra was “a man of principle who understood what our mission is here on earth and what Christ expects from us and in that mission, he never let anybody down,” George said.