Joseph Galletta

Joseph Galletta, 75, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on Sunday, July 14, 2024. He was born March 16, 1949, in Manhattan, New York, to the late Michael & Rosalie (Lentz) Galletta. Joe grew up in Astoria, Queens. Joe was a tough kid who was always looking for a fight. He had a deep love for his grandpa (Jacob Lentz) who worked with him on boxing skills. That interest stayed with him throughout his life. Joe’s love for music started at a young age and he enjoyed playing drums in a band in high school. In 1967, he graduated from Central Commercial High School.

After graduation, Joe earned his Associate's Degree in Accounting from New York City Community College and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Long Island University. He proudly served our country in the Army National Guard. In 1969, Joe met his future wife, Denise Baeringer, who was his soulmate and best friend for life. On November 18, 1973, they married in the Bronx, New York. Their first apartment was in Flushing, New York. They saved to buy their first house in Massapequa Park, New York where they started their family with two beautiful children, Daniel and Lisa, who brought Joe more joy than he could have ever imagined.

Joe worked for J.C. Penney from 1975 to 2005. He rose to Catalog Media Manager. When J.C. Penney moved to Texas in 1988, Joe moved his family to Dallas. It was a tough move to make, but Joe was tough!! Even their dog, Dolly, joined them. Joe’s love even for his dog, and four that came after (Daisy, Kizzy, Mandy, and now Angel who Joe rescued during the pandemic) was so sweet.

Joe always had a special place in his heart for New York, but he came to love Dallas where he was surrounded by his loving family who was his world.

Following retirement, Joe worked as a Teacher’s Aide at J.J. Pearce High School in Special Education and had a love for mentoring kids. The kids, of course, loved Mr. G!!

At age 34 Joe began to study karate, a great passion for him. Joe attained the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo. He loved the martial arts and all it stood for. He felt it was never about the belt, but what’s in your heart. Denise joined him in studying karate and attained 1st Dan. They enjoyed learning and teaching together. It was special for Joe to have Denise at his side! They taught TaeKwonDo in the fitness center at J.C. Penney headquarters in Plano from 2001 to 2006. His students respected and loved him. They always told him he had a positive impact on their lives. Later Joe and Denise worked with students at their home.

Joe was a New York Yankees fan, who cherished Mickey Mantle. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and New York Rangers and eventually became a fan of the Dallas Stars, attending many games with his son over the years. Joe loved all genres of music and passed that on to his children. He enjoyed attending concerts and family trips to Las Vegas. More than anything, Joe’s passion in life was his family. He valued each day spent with his wife, delighting in simple joys with her, especially going to the gym almost every day! Joe enjoyed fine dining and countless meals at Lawry’s with his family. He was an incredible father who enjoyed every moment with his kids, always supporting and encouraging them. He was an amazing Papa to his grandchildren, always searching for and providing the toys and gifts they wanted. He lived to take care of his family and made them first and foremost in his life. The love and compassion he shared over the years will be greatly missed. He is forever in our hearts.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by who he referred to as “the best mother-in-law”, Sadye Baeringer. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 50 years, Denise; his son, Daniel of Bedford, Texas; daughter, Lisa of Denton, Texas; grandsons, Codie, Zachary, and Sebastian; brother, Bob Galletta of Staten Island, New York and family; his beloved cousins; the Baeringer family, and his sidekick, Angel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate or The American Heart Association at www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give .