He was born in Poughkeepsie, NY to Angelo and Estella Furno on January 26, 1926, the seventh of seven children. He loved sports and lettered in basketball and football at Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, NY. After graduation, he joined the Navy in 1944 and served until 1946. He was stationed at Algiers, Louisiana. There he met the love of his life, Becky, at a USO dance. They were married in New Orleans, Louisiana and were married for 71 years.
They moved to Poughkeepsie where Joe began working for IBM. They had two children whom he loved very much. Joe taught Sunday school for several years at St. James Episcopal Church in Hyde Park, NY. He was Deputy Fire Chief of the Hyde Park Fire Dept. He was transferred to N.C. in 1966 and continued working for IBM until his retirement after 41 years. He was President of the IBM Quarter Century Club.
Joe loved to participate in many sports and activities including his favorites golfing, fishing and boating. He also loved to tell jokes and stories
He held office in several organizations. He was President of the TIAHA Italian Men's Club in Raleigh, NC; Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-11; President of the Senior XYZ Club in Cary where he also headed the Travel Committee. He was also Volunteer of the Year at the Raleigh-Durham Airport.
Joe loved to travel with his family and visited almost all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and overseas. He served as World Trade Manager for IBM which included Italy, England, Scotland, Germany and Japan.
He was a long time member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary where he served as Sr. Warden, Treasurer and on various committees. He sang in the Senior Choir for 49 years and played in the bell choir.
He is survived by his wife, Becky; his two children, Karen Furno and Alan Furno; 4 sisters-in-law and 3 brothers-in-law, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings and 2 half-sisters.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary followed by interment at the Raleigh Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank Glenaire Health Center and Transitions Hospice Team for their loving care and support.
Online condolences may be made at www.BrownWynneCary.com
Flowers are accepted or a donation may be made to Dorcas Ministries of Cary or St. Paul's Episcopal Church Choir.
