I remember when I first started to volunteer at LCCI, Joe was so friendly and made me  feel welcomed. He always had a smile on his face. You will be missed. God bless you and your family.

I'm so sorry to hear about Joe's passing. While I didn't know him very well, I was touched by his generosity, his work ethic, his talents, and his ability to bounce back from adversity. In 1990, I was a recent college graduate-- with no job and living back at my mom's in Troy.  I was feeling sorry for myself and my long-time friend, Mark suggested I connect with Joe and Sandy at M&S Printing who ended up offering me work to fit my schedule while I was piecing together a life post-college. Every day no matter how early or late I would show up to the print shop, Joe would be there, working the printing press and whistling to some great country tunes! He was a man of few words but always had a smile on his face and never complained no matter how long or how hard he worked. 

Later on in life after he and Sandy sold the print shop, I remember Mark telling me about a new phase of life his parents were having in the South, with land, animals and a house they built. I also remember sometime later that Mark said a fire had occurred and that they lost their home but that Joe and Sandy were okay. Resiliency is not something we are all born with but it seems that Joe both was born with some of that in his blood but also cultivated a resilient spirit by what he stayed focused on--- enjoying the simple things in life, being grateful for all that he had, and knowing that the most important thing in life is the love and connection you have with others. Joe's physical presence will definitely be missed but his memory will be everlasting! 

I don’t have a specific memory so instead I would like to share the memorable things we did and the things that will always remind me of my Papa.
Super Nintendo, bonfires in the backyard at the MI farm, bonfires at Uncle Carms, the MI snow, hot chocolate, riding the blue tractor, making the sidewalk at the MI farm and putting our handprints in the cement, begging to drive the John Deere, driving the John Deere, crashing the John Deere, smell of well water, lightning struck a tree out front at the MI farm, learning to ride my bike at the MI farm, tasting coffee for the first time (he tricked me and said it was hot chocolate), Christmas movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas, old westerns with John Wayne, playing darts in the basement at the MI farm (dart board unscathed, drywall not so much), I like to think I got my love for penguins from watching The Pebble and The Penguin movie a dozen times every visit.
The one thing I will cherish is that he asked me how my dad was doing every time we met. Shows how kind and full hearted he is.
I love you Papa, and will miss you. I know you will be watching over me. 

Papa was one of the most hard-working people I've ever met, but also the quickest  to fall asleep after a meal, which he needed after all the work he did. It was always a surprise going to visit and he had built something new, like a back porch, sidewalks, a pond, a house extension, whatever he wanted or whatever Nani needed. He made it seem easy. I'll always remember going on the John deer rides with him around the farm in Michigan, where on occasion we'd stop to watch wildlife in the distance and he'd tell us about what it was like to hunt. The bonfires out back and going down the street to the golf course where we got to golf with him. Finding him asleep while he was watching golf on TV or one of his old westerners with Chuck Norris or Clint Eastwood. I always wanted to be a hard worker like him, maybe not to where I'm building roofs or fixing tractors, but enough to where I can do as much as I can and finish what I started. I'm going to miss him so much.

My condolences to the whole family at this time.

I’ve been friends with Mark for decades now, and even though we’re in different states, living our lives as best we can, we always keep up to date with family.  Im sad to hear about Joe’s passing. 

Seeing the memorial picture of Joe opens a floodgate of memories for me. Memories like the many DIY house projects Joe worked on, and memories of good smelling cigars. 

You will be missed Joe. Maybe I’ll build something in your name. Maybe I’ll have no plans to go by. And maybe with a little heavenly guidance from you, it will come out great.

Hot dogs...Ha! Pa could eat BLT's faster than Ma could build them! This is a man that was so loved that he had a HUGE breakfast MEAL named after him at Dawn's restaurant near Melvin Michigan. I have always missed him....

I have great memories of working with Joe and Sandy at M&S Printing in Troy,  MI. Joe was the sweetest guy and always had a smile on his face! Sending condolences to the family. 

I’ll always remember Joe as hard working, steadfast, and caring.  He was always there in the background making sure we were taken care of in his own special way.  The world will miss Joe.

OBITUARY

Joseph Michael Mandarino

April 18, 1932 – October 1, 2021

McConnell Funeral Home

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