Boxer, Pilot, Physicist - and Missionary

When Joseph Pello of Pennsylvania was a young boy, his best friend asked him how many children he wanted to have someday. Joseph remembers telling him he wanted 12 children. His friend then asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Joseph replied, “I want to be a boxer, a pilot and a physicist and retire at age 50.”

As he looks back on his life, Joseph is satisfied with his accomplishments. He said, “I had eight kids and I retired at 55, but I did everything else!” As a teenager, Joseph trained and fought in Golden Gloves and Diamond boxing tournaments and in six professional fights.

A naval reservist, Joseph was called to active duty in 1953 and served as Aviation Machinist Mate, Third Class. After graduating from LaSalle University in 1959, he began his professional service as a physicist in the Special Methods Division for the Navy, retiring 34 years later. He was widely recognized as an expert in his field.
Joseph is happily married to Mary Lynn, his wife of 54 years. The couple made the decision four years ago to take on a new challenge together: to share their blessings with the less fortunate. Joseph researched several charities that offered gift annuities. He and Mary Lynn chose to establish an annuity with the Oblates and are happy they decided on this gift. Joseph commented, “I have no regrets about it at all. It provides a little income which is helpful.”

Mary Lynn is proud to be a part of the Oblate family. “It gives me great joy that I can help,” she said. “I’m very proud that we’re doing it – I feel like a missionary!”