Joe's earliest memory of being alive revolved around carrying sticks to the basement to maintain the furnace—a shared duty in those days, the wood was also needed to boil his bath water.  The house that stands out in Joe's recollection is his parents' residence at 19 Cleveland St, North Providence. It boasted two stories, with Joe's family occupying the upper floor and renting out the lower one. Interestingly, the house was designed by his future wife's uncle, while Joe's father personally constructed it.  Despite a mishap with the delivery of incorrect bricks to the site, his father managed to acquire them inexpensively. Equipped with modern amenities like running water, electricity, and indoor plumbing, the house was a testament to progress. The decision to construct a two-story dwelling stemmed from the intention for Joe's family to inhabit the upper level while leasing the lower floor to another family, a strategic move to offset the mortgage.

Rose, Joe's future wife, along with her family, moved in and rented the downstairs unit. Construction commenced in 1925 and concluded in 1927, with Joe's father securing a $4000 mortgage to fund the project. The house was warmed by central bastion heat, supplemented by a stove in the kitchen where Joe's mother would skillfully bake her own bread. Giuseppe was not only a proficiant craftsman, but he was also known for his skills grafting trees that he leaned from his dad.  

In 1937, Joe's family acquired their first car, a Pontiac. It marked a significant milestone as Joe's dad had never operated a vehicle prior to this one. In 1938, the family welcomed their first radio into the household, tuning in for their inaugural broadcast of news and weather—a memorable moment for Joe. His earliest encounter with a telephone occurred around the age of 11 or 12, likely reaching out to a school friend or relative. Before the advent of their refrigerator in the same year, 1938, they relied on regular deliveries from the ice man to keep their perishables cool in an icebox. The sight of his first airplane in 1939 left an indelible mark on Joe's memory; he marveled at its design, noting the radiator positioned right behind the propeller of the authentic biplane. Within the confines of their home, a root cellar served as a sanctuary for storing all manner of foodstuffs before the refrigerator's arrival. Joe's mother, resourceful as ever, would order barrels of apples and flour, ensuring sustenance through the winter months. These provisions found their place alongside other goods in the root cellar until the refrigerator took over the task of preservation.  

Joe's family raised both chickens and hogs, granting Joe and his brother Ettroe a plethora of pets. Joe took on the responsibility of tending to the hogs and ensuring the chickens were well-fed. Sundays brought the cherished tradition of a roasted chicken dinner, accompanied by an abundance of freshly gathered eggs. Each year the family would slaughter a hog and share it with the community, that is how community worked back then. Joe's dad, Giuseppe, made a mean bottle of wine, and everyone would come around to enjoy some.  Their leisurely pursuits included regular visits to the movies, where, for a mere ten cents, Joe and Ettroe would indulge in two feature films and a short. While vacations weren't part of their routine, day trips to Newport to see the boats and masions was delightful respites. Joe treasured countless moments with his parents and brother, but Joe just loved celebrating Easter with his family.  Joe's older brother looked after him. He was a very tough boy on the outside. The saddest time for Joe's family was when his father died. He died in 1958 and their mother passed in 1979. Both of them were born in Italy.  

As a young adult, Joe indulged in a typical array of pastimes: baseball, touch football, and the pursuit of romance. After school, he and his brother would dash up to Lincoln Woods for a refreshing swim, always mindful to return home promptly by 5:00 for the evening meal, lest they face repercussions. One of Joe's earliest jobs involved working as a pin boy at the local bowling alley, earning a modest two cents a string totaling $17.00 a week.  However, his favorite teenage job involved staining wood for a company specializing in storefronts. In those days, the educational system didn't include middle school, so Joe transitioned directly from grammar school to high school. His academic journey continued at Central High School in Providence, RI, where he encountered diversity firsthand, including having a classmate of color. While initially surprised, Joe and his peers soon adapted to the new dynamic. Following high school, Joe pursued further education at the Rhode Island School of Design, initially focusing on chemistry, particularly within the realm of fabrics.  

Joe got a letter in the mail telling him the day to show up to be examined for his physical for the Army. After his physical he had to report to Centerdale RI, and then he was transported with all the other boys from town to a building in Providence where they were put on a train to Fort Devens Ma. Most of the boys, including Joe were anxious to get over there. Joe said that the worst thing in the world at that time was to be 4F and not able to go and fight for his country. Joe thought about going into the Navy but they would not except him because of his flat feet. So naturally the Army put Joe in the infantry with his flat feet and all! Fort Devens Ma was a hell hole, from there we went to Fort Mead Maryland for training. ​The happiest time with his family was when he returned from the service and WWII.  

I first met Rose when her family moved into the first floor of our house. We really were not attracted to each other early on, but when we got older and I saw her dating someone else, I made my move! I was about 20 years old and Rose was 16. As we got to know each other, we decided that she was it, and she decided that I was it, so we stayed together. 

 








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After Joe returned from the war, he went to work for Oliver Johnson Paint Company in their laboratory in quality control. He ended up creating new products for the company and then went into sales for the company. He worked for Oliver Paint Company for 30 years.









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Joe bought a house for his family on Cornel Ave in Pawtucket for $4,000, and some years later remodeled it for $20,000 which he described as inflationary.




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 Reaching the age of 90 in today's America is truly remarkable, especially considering the average life expectancy for males is 73. To commemorate this incredible milestone, we decided to throw Joe a grand celebration. Kara and Elinor's daughters took charge, meticulously planning every detail. They selected the perfect venue, XXXXX, curated the guest list, chose delectable entrées and beverages, adorned the tables with elegant decorations, sent out invitations, and flawlessly orchestrated the event on the big day, XXXXX.  

Meanwhile, Kara and Jeff, Joe's son-in-law, crafted a beautiful photo board showcasing the various chapters of Joe's life, allowing guests to relive cherished memories and milestones. The party was a resounding success, with a fantastic turnout of friends and family who all joined in celebrating Joe's journey to 90 years young. It was a joyous occasion filled with laughter, love, and fond reminiscences, and Joe couldn't have been happier. Enjoy the photos from the day.

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Joe was remarkably healthy throughout his life, akin to Superman in his robustness. Approaching the age of 98, he only required one pill for high blood pressure. His medical history consisted of a TURP procedure on his prostate at 72, and a solitary major surgery to remove his gallbladder at 77, and elective knee surgery at 90. The only notable incident was an almost deadly bee sting at 45. Joe enjoyed pasta and pork chops over beef, and he maintained a balanced diet with plenty of greens.  Although he never frequented a gym, his active lifestyle, which included gardening and yard work, kept him in excellent shape. While he smoked until his 50s, it seemingly had little impact on his health.

Dad relied on Cindy and went with her recomendation. In the pre-op room, Joe made a simple request: a pork chop upon completion of the procedure. The doctor, seemingly indifferent to Joe's age or medical history proceeded with the surgery. Unfortunately, Joe's veins couldn't withstand the procedure, and he passed away on the operating table. Reflecting on the situation, it's uncertain whether Joe would have lived much longer even with medication, and he may have been more compromised than he desired. In the end, Joe got his wish to "wake up dead." After his passing, we spent a poignant hour with Joe, cherishing our final moments together. 

In the days preceding Joe's burial, everything seemed to blur together. Dad and Elinor had meticulously planned all of their arrangements beforehand. As a family, we gathered to compose his obituary and ensured he received the military funeral befitting his service in WWII. Unexpectedly, a priest from a different parish conducted the service at dad's wake in the absence of his Parish priest. Little did we realize what a blessing this was.  

At the cemetery, Dad's casket was accompanied by a final prayer service by the military with a three volley salute and they played taps. After everyone had left for the chapel, Kara and I remained behind with his casket. Reflecting on the precious hours we spent with him in the hospital before he passed, we wondered if he was still with us. In a moment that felt like a divine farewell, the heater vents in the chapel began to chime, almost like little bells.  

Dad and Kara had often discussed death and the afterlife. Despite the hardships he endured during the war, he remained the most loving, grounded, and joyful person a child could ask for in a father. He had unwavering faith in his destination after death and promised Kara a sign if possible. True to his word, he delivered.