Joseph Ardovino was born on May 19, 1926 and passed away on February 16, 2018 in his home with his children by his side. Husband to Maria DiBonito Ardovino, Joe was the second youngest of nine siblings born to Constance and Michael Ardovino in Yonkers, New York. Joe traveled from Yonkers to El Paso for the first time in 1944 after graduating from high school to visit his Uncle Frank Ardovino, traveling back and forth before deciding to make El Paso his permanent home. In 1950, he served two years in the Army as Staff Sergeant . He was stationed in Germany allowing him to travel to Italy to meet his relatives. He returned to El Paso and graduated from Texas Western College while working for his Uncle Frank. He married Maria in 1962 and they ran Ardovino's Gourmet Shop for 33 years until they sold the business and retired. Together, they were pioneers in the pizza and gourmet food business introducing El Pasoans to Italian and European foods that were novel at the time. He was very happy and supportive when his children re-opened his Uncle Frank's restaurant as Ardovino's Desert Crossing in 1997. Joe and Maria were pillars in the community feeding generations of friends, families and customers with a great spirit of hospitality. Joe was a devout Catholic, loved traveling to visit friends and family, and enjoyed great Italian food. He was a collector of Hummel figurines. He is survived by son Robert (Jennifer), daughter Marina (Claudia), and grandsons Erik, Vincenzo and Giuseppe. He was a family man, a friend to all, and a man of integrity, loyalty and honesty. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 21 from 5:00 to 8:30pm at Martin Funeral Home - West with the Rosary at 6:30pm. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, February 22, 10:30am at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of the Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Animal Rescue of El Paso in Joseph's name. www.martinfuneralhomewest.com
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