Joseph A. Soda Jr. 79, of Niles died Monday July 6, 2015 at Gracewoods Senior Living in Niles, Ohio.

He was born July 12, 1935 in Niles the son of Joseph and Margaret Coates Soda Sr.

He attended Niles City Schools, employed as a heavy equipment operator for Soda Construction for 30 years and was street superintendent for The City of Niles for 10 years retiring in 2005. Joe was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Parish in Niles, Girard ITAM Post 39 in Girard and was a volunteer in the beer tent for their festivals, and The Wednesday Night Amici Club.

He was an avid New York Yankees and Mahoning Valley Scrappers Baseball fan, Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Football fan, enjoyed watching bocce at The ITAM Post 30 in McKinley Heights, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

He will be deeply missed by a son, Anthony J. Soda and his wife Donna of Las Vegas, Nevada, a daughter Denise McMurray and her husband Lester of Sandusky, Ohio, a sister Della Williams of Niles, three grandchildren, Kelli Fahndrich and her husband Dennis, Jenna Soda, and Sean McMurray, two great-grandchildren, Mia and Parker, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jess Soda, James Soda, and John Soda, and six sisters, Catherine Marino, Celia Shilling, Rosemarie DeFabio, Margaret Matthews, Lena Nemes, and Marie Melillo.

Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 7PM at The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles where The Mount Carmel Bereavement will conduct prayers at 6:30PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10AM Thursday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Niles, preceded by a 9:30AM prayer service at the funeral home.

Entombment will be in Niles City Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Family and friends can light a candle, sign the guest book, and send e-mail condolences at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.