Joseph John Gaskin, 72, of Carlisle, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at his home.  He was born on June 28, 1952, at Fort Dix, New Jersey and was a son of the late Wanda J. (Rakowski) Gaskin, and SFC (Ret.) Joseph A. Gaskin, US Army.

Joe graduated from East Pennsboro High School with the class of 1970 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physics and astronomy from Dickinson College in 1974.  Joe worked many years as an engineer with Piezo Crystal Co. in Carlisle.  He attended the Wesleyan Church of the Cross in Carlisle for many years.

A significant event in his life was when Joe and his wife Karen filed the Gaskin lawsuit with the assistance of Judith Gran, Esquire against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on behalf of a class of 280,000 Pennsylvania special education students, twelve named plaintiffs and eleven disability advocacy organizations.   After many years of litigation, a federal judge ruled in favor of the Gaskin class members and upheld the right of students with disabilities to be educated with supports and services in regular education classrooms.

Joe continued to assist parents and guardians seeking access to regular education classrooms for their children until his death.  He also successfully advocated for the establishment of the Cumberland County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program which trains volunteers to advocate for children in Children and Youth foster care settings.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years Karen K. (Dunbar) Gaskin, two daughters, Emily Gaskin Sitch and Lydia Gaskin, two sisters, Felicia Gaskin (husband Shu-Man) Fu and Lillian Gaskin, two grandchildren, Calvin and Samantha Sitch, his mother-in-law Shirley Dunbar, one brother-in-law James Annelin, two sisters-in-law, Kathy Dunbar (Dan) Bateson and Kristene Dunbar (Tim) Peters, several nieces and nephews and good friend and attorney Judith Gran.  Joe was preceded in death by one sister Mary Gaskin and one brother-in-law Fred Lipton.

A viewing will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, followed by the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle with Pastor James Annelin officiating.  The burial will be in Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle.  Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to BOLD, Inc., 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 104, Harrisburg, PA 17110. www.EwingBrothers.com .

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84987210688?pwd=N8wFoYvd65HcHzRTPubjRG2auaHjsR.1