Joseph J. "Ratsy" Koniski

Joseph John “Ratsy” Koniski, 86, of Steubenville, died peacefully on August 17, 2025 after a long, courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Joe was born December 29, 1938 and was a proud graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central High School as well as a veteran of the US Air Force. He was an OG, he packed a lot of life in to his 86 years - so much so that some readers may be thinking, wow he was still alive? He was an avid fisherman, an expert poker player, enjoyed jamming on the guitar, excelled at golf, loved to watch sports and his favorite team was whichever one he had money on or you did not have money on. He loved to read and had memorized the entire Trivial Pursuit game, every world capital, the entire dictionary and never met a Jeopardy question he could not answer. To see him lose all that he memorized in addition to all those he remembered was a cruel plot twist in his unconventional life.

He is survived by his daughters, Cassie (Chris) Zrinyi and Lori (Todd) Freemon, their mother, Jane Koniski, three grandchildren - Alexis (Mitchell) June, Chanze Freemon and Olivia Freemon and one brother, Teddy Koniski plus many, many nieces and nephews and his long time companion Joanne Ritchie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ignatius and Frances Koniski, siblings - Mildred Busick, Helen Jelski, Stanley Koniski, Casimir (Knute) Konicki, John Koniski, Sophie Pavel, Eddie Koniski, Genevieve Koniski, Anna Ayers and Adeline Betti, nephew Hank Spicer who was basically his brother and his lifelong best friend Richard Blancato.

The family would like to express their greatest appreciation to the care team at The Meadows of Cadiz memory care unit who kept him content and happy and was a great audience for his solo singing performances!

Per Joe’s wishes, there will be no formal services. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Mosti Funeral Home.

Donations can be made in Joe’s name to The Innocence Project, a program dear to him and his family.

Offer condolences, www.mostifuneralhome.com