Joseph Robert Gruca, 71, of Allentown, did everything he could to leave this world a better place. He had many alias' including Joe, Bob, Joe-Bob, and Gruc. A lifetime resident of the Allentown area, he loved gardening, flowers, Sudoku and his grand dogs, Mellie and Choncho. He was an avid member of the Knights of Columbus Council #7333 at St. John the Baptist Church. His proudest accomplishment was his son Jonathan. The loves of his life were his wife Pat, his son Jonathan and his wife, Kelly, and most of all his two granddaughters Scarlett and Lily.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Kelly; granddaughters, Scarlett and Lily; brother, Stephen Gruca and his wife, Joyce; cousin, Trudie Horton as well as several nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11am on Saturday, April 29th at St. John's Church, Allentown. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4 to 8pm at Peppler Funeral Home, 114 So. Main St, Allentown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital,
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 39101 or to Bishop Ahr Assembly c/o St. John's Church,1282 Yardville-Allentown Rd., Allentown, NJ 08501 or by donating blood to a local blood bank