Joseph Albanese

Joseph was born on May 15, 1922 at home on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and grew up in Brooklyn. He was the youngest son of Pietro & Maria Albanese. He had two older brothers, Frank - and Iggy, and an older sister, Carmela. Joseph was involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. They experienced typical sibling rivalries, and shared many life experiences over the years.

As a young boy, Joseph enjoyed baseball cards, roller skating, ice skating and sledding, and playing and spending time with his friends. He loved to go to Coney Island with his family, enjoying the beach and hot dogs at Nathans.A typical teenager, Joseph had a good high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He graduated from Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades in 1940. His favorite class was Math, and he was a member of the Dance Club.

Joseph enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several close friends during his lifetime. His best friends were Fred Corda (as teenagers they spent many weekends together at Coney Island, riding the Cyclone) and later in life Tom Antonelli.

Joseph was drafted in the US Army Air Force during WWII. He was stationed at the Panama Canal Zone, Costa Rica, and Honduras. Through his hard work, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home. On April 29, 1956 Joseph exchanged wedding vows with Ida Tagliaferro at Our Lady of Grace Church in the Bronx. He was a devoted and loving husband.

Joseph was blessed with four children, Rosemarie, Peter, Annie and Joseph. He was a loving father and worked very hard to fulfill their needs. He was also blessed with three grandchildren, Kristen, Joseph and Matthew. Joseph enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, he worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. He worked in the sheet metal industry and was employed by DeFranchisi,- as a Foreman. He also worked on Saturdays for Modern Maid.

He was a man who took pride in upholding his beliefs, and was a registered Democrat. His faith was important to him, instilled in him from childhood by his parents. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish since 1945 and went to Mass regularly.

Joseph enjoyed getting away. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Among his favorites were trips to upstate NY where he loved to fish and walk in the woods, overnight trips to Atlantic City, and a trip to Las Vegas for his 80th birthday.

He loved animals and cherished his pets. His family was rounded out by his dog Sandy and his granddogs Joey, Trixie, Ginger and Cody.

Joseph retired in 1987. He continued to stay in touch with his old friends and made new acquaintances. He enjoyed his leisure time and among his favorite pursuits were coin collecting, playing poker with his brothers-in-law, going to Atlantic City, family outings to Belmont Park, and going to the Bel Aire Diner for breakfast or lunch (and he always insisted on picking up the check) . He also enjoyed football and following his favorite team, the NY Giants. It made him happy to share his interests with others.

Joseph passed away on November 25, 2013 at Mount Sinai Hospital of Queens. He is survived by his wife Ida, 4 children and 3 grandchildren. He was laid to rest in St. John's Cemetery.

He was a good and kind person, an individual who will be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. He leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories.