Joseph Moschella

Joseph was born March 19, 1923 in Staten Island NY (on the kitchen table or was it a cabbage patch). He graduated in 1947 from Norwich University, VT with a Bachelor of Science. In 1951, he graduated at the top of his class from Columbia University, NY with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. Joseph was proud to have served in the Air Force during WW ll and the Korean War. Upon leaving the service, he was ranked a Captain.

He met the love of his life, Patricia Burleson in Northfield, VT. They married in 1946 and started their family the following year. He is survived by his daughters, Patty Jo French (Hal French), Sharleen Moschella, Julie Moschella and Kim Maurent (Arthur Maurent). His daughter, Marylou Hitzeman, resides with him in heaven. He also leaves behind 14 beautiful grandchildren and 15 wonderful great grandchildren.

What an amazing journey through life Dad/Papa traversed and shared with all of us. It’s always been inspirational to us! From an over parented only child of Italian descent in Staten Island, New York to running with mafia relatives to WWII vet to Columbia grad school to small town dentist to loyal husband to father of 5 to early retiree to artist/painter/jewelry craftsman to personal investor to entrepreneur to grandfather of 14 and 15 great grandchildren to inspirational story teller to loyal and dedicated caretaker. What an adventure he had!

We thank him for sharing and inspiring us with his memories of our family and its history. His mind IS our irreplaceable family time capsule filled with war stories, gangsters, tragedies, weddings, fights, love stories, babies and Indian burial grounds under his house, many jokes and other magic memories. His stories, over the years about time travel, family trees, and other big ideas, are precious to all of us. We cherish them and will share them with our families for many generations.

Joseph and Patrica raised, nurtured and influenced their girls! They groomed them with their love and support throughout their lives. The legacy they left their family will be cherished forever.

We thank him for always being a compassionate, loving father, Papa and friend. He always seemed to have an amazing connection with everyone, no matter the age. There’s something uniquely powerful about the multigenerational bond that we all have shared. Our love and blood and history ties us together forever.

We thank him for the warrior spirit he embodied into his 90s. We hope that if and when we reach our 90s that we can live with the pride, dignity, independence and strength that he demonstrated. Particularly the way that he helped our beautiful mother and Nana navigate her final years. No one really knows how they will respond to adversity until the chips are down. When Mom’s/Nana’s health became a heavy burden he picked her up and she became his cross and he carried her with love through to her end. Now that is the mark of a good loving man who has made us all proud and has given us a blueprint on how to live our lives and treat others.

Dad/Papa, we love you more than any words can say. May you rest in peace in God’s arms with Mom by your side forever.

Until we meet again,

Your loving family

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home 7950 131st Street N., Seminole, Florida 33776/727-391-0121