He was born in Columbia, South Carolina to Samuel and Reba Carnaggio and later moved with his family to Baltimore. As a young man he helped his father with their family’s produce stand in Lexington Market. He was a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and served in the Marine Corps. Later he worked at Koppers Company for 44 years as a machinist/tool and die maker. He met his wife, Genevieve, at work and celebrated 59 years of marriage.
Joe Carnaggio was often referred to as “Smiley Joe” and was known to be a gentle man and gentleman making sure he always had a kind word to say. Joe loved to garden, be with his grandchildren, travel with his brothers and their wives, play cards, and go to the beach. Most of all he loved being with his large family when they got together.
He is the beloved husband of the late Genevieve Carnaggio (nee Kocienda); devoted father of Joe Carnaggio and wife Mary, Jim Carnaggio and wife Denise; loving grandfather of Katie and husband Ben, Cortney, Andrew (A.J.), Bryan; great-grandfather of Joseph Todd (J.T.) and Zach; dear brother of Rosemary Kirwan and the late Charles Carnaggio, Ann Linneman, John Carnaggio, Martha Orem and Nancy Carnaggio. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.
Relatives and friends will gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., 9705 Belair Rd., Nottingham MD 21236, on Friday 2-4 & 6-8 p.m., and where a funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery. Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 1850 York Rd., Suite D, Timonium MD 21093.
