Joseph Speck, 92, of Auburn, entered eternal life on Thursday October 13, 2011. Joe was born in Ganister, PA on April 2, 1919, the son of the late Frank and Elsie Monark Speck, and has resided in the Auburn area since 1932. He was an Army veteran of WW II, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant, and Platoon Leader. He landed as part of the 6th Wave at Normandy, earning his first Purple Heart. He participated in the Battle of St. Lo, emancipation of Paris, the Battle of Cologne Plains, and fought in the Black Forrest. He earned a second Purple Heart fighting in the Hurtgen Forest in Germany, and received the Bronze Star for Bravery in the Line of Duty, fighting near Innsbruck, Austria. Returning from the War, he married Mary Hryvko in 1946. She predeceased him in 1992. Joe worked at Nye Wait Carpet for 31 years, and Cayuga Community College for 17 years. He was an active lifetime member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, serving in leadership positions, and active in fundraising. He is survived by his two sons and their wives, Gregory and Kathleen Speck of Rensselaerville, NY, and William and Karen Speck of Moravia. Also surviving are his grandchildren Nicholas Speck of Los Angeles, CA, Aleksen Speck of San Luis Obispo, CA, Alexis Glennon (Patrick ) of Aurora, NY, and Natalie Speck (Teddy Kimbrough) of Tucson, AZ, his brother Michael ( Ann) Speck of Auburn, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Alex, John, Frank and Andrew Speck, and sisters Mary Strong and Elsie Kondratick. Funeral services for Mr. Speck will be at 9 A.M. Wednesday, from the Plis Funeral Home, and 9:30 A.M. in St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. Burial will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Half Acre. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 4 to 7 P.M. at the funeral home, 220 State Street, Auburn. Contributions may be made in his memory to St. Nicholas Parish Hall Fund, 81 Cottage St., Auburn, NY, 13021 Read Joseph Speck's Obituary and Guestbook on www.plisfuneralhome.com.