Joseph Lovrecich

Joseph Lovrecich of Bethpage, NY passed away on April 14, 2020. Born in 1925, he would have been 95 on September 11th. He was married for 63 years to his beloved wife, Anita, who predeceased him September 27, 2013.

Joseph, or Joe, was known for his always friendly manner, sense of humor, quick wit, intelligence and his magnanimous personality. He never spoke a bad or unkind word about anyone. He was extremely devoted to his family.

Joe’s Italian birth name was Giuseppe (nicknamed Bepi, Beppe, Pepi). He was born into a poor family in Northern Italy, in the small town of Gorizia, near Trieste. His lineage has Italian, French, Austrian, Hungarian and Yugoslavian. He was the oldest of 4 surviving siblings. When he was 11, his brother 5, his sister 3 and his baby sister 6 months old, their mom, age 33, died from Pneumonia. His father, a Police Officer, needed to work and was unable to take care of the children. So, they were placed in an orphanage. At 15, he was too old for the orphanage and he was thrown out. He worked many jobs – at a bank, a drug store, burying bodies (during the war, in unnamed graves), a butler, a chef…all the while, saving his monies to care for his siblings. He slept in churches, at night, since he had no place to go. At 17, he was notified that his 39 year old dad, who was in the war, had also passed away. Instead of him becoming negative, about what was dealt to him, he turned it all around, with an optimistic attitude. Out of the adversity of his youth, he created such an incredible life for himself, and for his entire family. He taught all the true meaning of perseverance, hard work, love, kindness and generosity.

Ultimately, in his early twenties, he was working in the kitchen of an Italian cruise ship going to America. The last voyage became a ‘one way trip’. With envisioned opportunities for a better life, he remained in New York. He was a true ‘immigrant success story’. With little money, he got a “room” (without windows) in someone else’s apartment, in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC. He was 24 years old. His friend convinced him to go across town, for night school, to learn English. He was resistant, since there was a school close by. But, he obliged. There was a young elementary school teacher, who in her twenties took a second job, at night, to teach English to foreign born students. It was there that he sat in the back of the classroom and the “ruffiano” (Italian word for rascal), that he was, whistled at his instructor. He told his friend: “Someday I am going to marry the teacher.” 5 months later, Joe and Anita were married and remained that way for 63 years, until her death.

When they first married, he was so appreciative that she helped him by working, while he went to finish high school, followed by college at Brooklyn Polytechnic University, to become an Electrical Engineer. He, too, was working and sleep deprived. And, quite often, on his bus rides from school to work, he would fall asleep and fall off the bus seat. He always had a comical response to it. It was a great joy for him to make others laugh.

Some of his jobs were painting bridges and buildings. Once he dropped a can of paint from scaffolding, unfortunately, splattering the car below. With an always quick mind, and in fear of losing his job, he pretended not to know English. Since there were so many Italian immigrants, he used his minimal knowledge to speak Yugoslavian to the vehicle’s owner. The man, surprisingly, turned out to be Yugoslavian. And, in his happiness, to hear his own language, he totally forgot about the paint. Steel painting work led Joe and Anita to Bristol, PA, near Philadelphia, where their first child, Dennis was born. Then, they moved back to New York: Queens, Far Rockaway and Long Beach, where Anita’s mom was. Finally, he and Anita purchased a home in Plainview, NY, where they lived for 50 years. He built an extension for his mother-n-law and she moved in with them. He was able to bring his sister, Natalia here, from Italy. She first lived in Queens. But, ultimately, she and her family moved to Plainview. It was there, that Joe and Anita had their second child, Nancy. The cousins grew up very close.

He was the most organized, practical, intelligent, hard working, giving, and big- hearted person. All that anyone needed, upon meeting him, was a few moments - to adore him. Always smiling and in a positive mood, he was never at a loss for a joke or a funny story to share. Those amazing stories of his life left everyone inspired. The stories were often accompanied by delicious dining, whether at a restaurant or home cooked, and, of course always with vino. There were many an excursion to the wineries, out east on LI and elsewhere. He was a wine connoisseur.

His first Electrical Engineering job was at Hazeltine. This led him to an ever evolving work life at Grumman Aerospace Corporation. He had many positions and grew with the expanding Grumman in the 1960’s and 70’s. In 1986, he invented a video display simulator-analyzer, which was patented in 1988. It was during those 20 years that he met and made lifelong friends. Grumman sent him to work in various locations, one being: Virginia Beach, for an extended period. He always returned home to his wife on weekends, except for when he sent her a ticket and

she was off to visit him. This is when the love of VA Beach began, which became the family tradition, continuing with his daughter and ultimately his grandchildren.

Managing his money wisely, he was able to take his family on the most remarkable vacations. His love for travel and adventure, combined with meticulous planning, led to his travels around the world. In addition to his excursions, he loved having visitors and was the ultimate host and tour guide. He planned a detailed, comprehensive tour of NYC (where he frequented Broadway Musicals and Plays, Museums and historic places). He also toured visitors to Washington, Maryland, and Boston, to name a few. He went back to Italy many times to see his extended family. Every year another journey and exciting destination was mapped out by his reading, studying and learning. From Argentina (Uncles and Cousin) and Brazil…to a Polar Bear expedition to a seal watch…to Australia (more cousins)… to all over America, including Alaska and Hawaii… to Mexico and Africa…they would go! Anita and he traveled from Ireland to Israel to the Panama Canal….to Mountains and castles… These countless, wonderful world travels were documented, with precision, in the beautiful photo albums, filled with precious memories.

He was talented with construction and built much of his house; built a basement with a ‘very well used’ bar, (again with open arms for entertaining); a heath kit TV; a pool; a deck with a built in hot tub; a huge vegetable garden. He did the electrical work, the plumbing, the painting, the creating and the fixing. Joe was a jack of all trades and master of EVERY ONE.

He took care of anyone, who came into his path. Moments after meeting him, one would feel like he was their friend. And, he was. He would meet people on vacations, with Anita, and they would remain friends from that moment on…visiting each other, in their different states, sometimes different countries. His ‘instantly made friendships’ were kept alive with calls, letters and eventually emails. Joe was the glue that held it together. His family, friends, neighbors, co workers and people he met traveling the earth, have been positively affected, by his miraculously optimistic outlook on life

He always loved to give a kiss, or two to, all the young females. “Young” is used very loosely. He had no age discrimination. And, he never would let the chance go by, to dance with the bride at her Wedding! It was his duty! He was a romantic and constantly gave flowers to his wife, the love of his life.

He was a consummate athlete. He loved biking, several times participating in the Bike-a-thon on Long Island. He was a ‘polar bear’ swimmer, from March to October, both in his pool and the many oceans worldwide. He golfed; played soccer; tennis; baseball; bowled in a weekly league; played badminton; horseshoes; bocce; ping pong; pool and cribbage….to name just a few!

He loved going weekly to his sister’s house, 2 miles away, to play their Friday night poker. The card games were great. But, she was the driving force. They were extremely close. He would do anything for her. The families spent all the holidays together.

He was so, so strong and always figured out a way to conquer any obstacle. Always a planner, when Anita took ill, he sold his house and moved into an independent living home, to make it easier for her. Soon after her passing, he moved in with his daughter and family, after extending the home.

He NEVER complained. Even in the last few months, when his health declined, it was never about him. Instead, he always worried about everyone else’s well-being and hoped he took care of them adequately. He simply adored his wife, children, son-in-law, grandchildren and extended family and cared for them in every way imaginable. When he was 90 years old, he took his family, with his young grandchildren, to Italy.

With a smile on his face and laughter in his sole, he consistently looked at the brighter side of everything.

He was loved by all and he will be dearly missed

Joseph is survived by his son, Dennis, his daughter, Nancy and son-n-law, Will and their three children, his grandchildren – Josef, Vianne and Kalena. His loving wife, Anita predeceased him, along with his sister, Natalia, brother-n-law Tony, brother, Peter, sister, Emma, brother-n-law, Noah. He also leaves his nieces, Diana, Dana and Luisa and their children and his sister-n-law, Sylvia, his 3 nephews - Sam, Marc and Bob and his niece, Debbie and their families and many, many relatives and friends.

He was laid to rest at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Melville, NY.

A Memorial Service is on Saturday – September 12, 2020 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm @ Vernon Wagner Funeral Home, 125 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville, NY.