Joseph A. Sgarlata Jr.

Mr. Joseph A. Sgarlata, Jr., 94, of Deltona, FL died peacefully, surrounded by his family on October 4, 2011 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach. He was born on April 3, 1917 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Joseph Sr. and Josephine Sgarlata. He was united in marriage to Carmella Ardizzone on July 27, 1946. The couple was married for 65 years.

He enjoyed working in the yard and in grocery stores, in the produce department, which he learned from his father. He was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army during WWII, 116th regiment, 29th infantry division, rifleman 745. He received a combat infantryman badge, good conduct award, European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, lapel button issued, ASR Score 39 and 3 overseas service bars. He served September 10, 1944 to April 21, 1946. He decided to leave the Army in order to get married to his wartime sweetheart back home, Carmella. He then became the father of three children, Joseph, Leonard and Mary Ann while living in Chicago, IL. While raising the children in Chicago, he was a produce manager in a grocery store. Eventually, he moved to Alabama and lived there for about 4 years, before moving to Florida for the remainder of his life. He was an absolute sports fan, always cheering for the New York Yankees, Chicago Bears and Dale Earnhardt, Sr. He also enjoyed watching movies, especially movies starring John Wayne and any western. He liked listening to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and older country music. He collected biographies on anyone he could find. He was a great lover of food, especially Italian food made by his wife, Carmella. Family was a priority for him and he was there for them, no matter what. He was a member of Knights of Columbus at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church and his rank was fourth degree Grand Knight. He was also an avid poker player, always providing the change for everyone to play with, never playing for more than a few pennies at a time.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carmella, 2 sons, Joseph Sgarlata of Deltona, FL and Leonard Sgarlata of Nolensville, TN; one daughter, Mary Ann (Sgarlata) Douglas of Deltona, FL; two grandchildren, Eric and Gena; five great-grandchildren, Victoria, CJ, Anthony, Nicholas and Kyle; and a sister, Josephine (Sgarlata) Ardizzone of Chicago, IL.

Visitation will be Friday, October 7, 2011 from 6 - 8 pm at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church at 1310 Maximillian Street, Deltona, FL 32725 with Father Joseph Roberts officiating. A graveside service will follow where he will be placed to rest in Deltona Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements were entrusted to Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, 1295 Saxon Boulevard, Orange City, Florida 32763, Phone: 386-775-4260.