Joseph A Balestrieri

EPITAPH FOR JOSEPH ALBERT BALESTRIERI

Joseph Albert Balestrieri, better known as Joe, a kind, loving, generous, all-around good person. Husband to two amazing woman Patty and Sue but not at the same time. Father to three sons Jeffrey Jr, Jason, and Joseph Jr. in heaven with him, two stepdaughters Jennifer and Leah, seven grandchildren Ashley, Jeffrey Jr, Talia, Brady, Jillian, Jaxon, and Gabby and four great grandchildren Nova, Milo, Journee, and Theo.

A man with many titles: Christian, steel worker, safety director, Brother Knight, Grand Knight, Vietnam Vet, and karaoke singer. You ain’t seen nothing until you’ve seen him sing Elvis, while he shakes that booty. But his most prized titles were Pop, Pop Pop, and my Sweetheart.

Joe and I met in a Hospice Grieving Group where I was grieving for my husband, Tom. He was grieving for the passing of his wife, Patty in June, his mother in July, and his father in August. And I thought I had sorrow.

We bonded over this but more than that, we became friends. Joe decided to take a chance and ask out the “school Marm” as he called me, and as time went on, we fall in love and married December 26, 2012. Besides our family, we invited everyone we knew to celebrate with us. One great big party!

A proud Vietnam Vet who never passed by another Vet without saying, “Welcome home brother.” He’s got me saying it, in his name, “If my husband was here, he’d say…

Even with physical limits, Joe worked at the St. Joan of Arc Festival, on the ground’s crew and painted all their bright yellow curbs.

One of his proudest moments and becoming a knight and honor guard For a Brief time, he served as Grand Knight working with the Columbiettes, to get coats for the needy. The two groups worked together to support the Dawn Center. He made it possible for an infirm man to realize his dream of becoming a knight right in his own home.

Through the Knights of Columbus, Joe and I ended up at St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. A place we love.

            Joe answered, “And…I know a guy…”

            “And can you do the hall too?”

            “Yep, But Father you need to choose the paint for the hall.”

            “ For sure. And can you paint the ceilings?”

            “Yep,” answered Joe. “We’ll do the outside trim too.”

And so, Donny Montague, who did all that painting, has become our special, special friend. He’s always there when we need him.

But we’re not done here. The AC broke. It was held together with Band-Aids as Pete and Joe said. We started a fundraiser and then Joe said, “I know a guy…” He got bid $5000 lover than the lowest bid. Joe could talk a dog off a meat wagon. Want to a new car, cheap? I’ve seen sales managers with tears in their eyes after Joe haggles with them. He’s done other things, too many to mention here.

Favorite expression “Throw it against the wall and see if it sticks.”

He’s brought great joy to everyone but one of his biggest accomplishments is the joy he has brought to me and my girls.

I’ve loved two great men in my life: Thom and Joe. Rest in Peace. Sweetheart. I love you.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph A Balestrieri, please visit our floral store.