Joe grew up in Pennsylvania during the Depression where he and his family often lived with relatives who had an extra room or porch.
As a young teenager, Joe and his brother, Leo, learned to play the guitar, mandolin and other instruments. They used their talents to entertain at various gatherings, such as weddings and parties. The money they earned went to their family for food and other necessities Life during the Depression years required everyone to do their part.
Joe's Father, Leonard, was a strict disciplinarian and insisted that his boys do exactly as they were told. His father only wanted the best for his family, but Joe was the type of person who resisted strict rules. During his early teenage years Joe often found himself running away from home looking for a new adventure. He would hide out at friends homes until he was discovered by their parents and sent home. During one adventure, at the age of fifteen, he and a friend found their way to Florida where they were detained for vagrancy and were sent home by the authorities. They were told not to get off the train until they reached home. Joe was ready to jump off the train at the first stop, but to his dismay, the conductor had instructions to make sure that he and his friend stayed on the train until they were home. His parents, although worried sick about him, during his time on the road, forgave him, and welcomed him home, as did the father of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel story.
Growing restless a short time later, Joe decided he was missing out on the greatest adventure of all, being a part of the United States Army and going to war. At the age of sixteen he managed to doctor up his birth certificate, had a friend's mother sign the permission form and enlist. A few days before he was to report for duty and ship off to basic training, he told his brother, Leo, what he was about to do. Leo, having the sense to tell his parents, prevented Joe from possibly ending up in a foreign country where he might have been harmed. Joe's parents intervened and prevented him from going to war at sixteen years of age.
It was less than a year later, that Joe, again, decided he wanted to be somewhere else. By now he was seventeen and this time he joined the Merchant Marines. Instead of presenting false papers a second time, he went to his father and asked him to sign a waiver. Leonard decided to let him go and felt he would at least be able to keep track of him.
While Joe was serving with the Merchant Marines, he traveled the world, bringing supplies to the Allied Armed Forces. He often told the story of one mission when he was on a supply ship carrying aircraft fuel. As they set sail across the Pacific, he asked someone where he could find a life jacket because he did not know how to swim. The person looked at him and said "We are carrying aircraft fuel, and if we get hit, you will need a parachute not a life jacket."
Joe met his beautiful wife, Claire Megali, while on a blind double date with his Uncle. Joe and Claire were married on August 17,1947, and had a child, they named Joyce (Joey). The birth of Joyce prompted Joe to quit the Merchant Marines so that he could stay closer to home. It was at this time when he decided he would enter the occupation of insurance salesman. He and a partner, opened up an insurance office, just outside of Philadelphia.
During his time in the Merchant Marines, he visited the Port of Long Beach, California. Having spent a few days with relatives in the Los Angeles area, Joe decided he would someday return to settle down with his family. In 1957, Joe sold his interest in his insurance business, packed up his family and moved to Southern California.
Joe settled his family in the San Fernando Valley where he opened his new Real Estate and Insurance business. Within a few short years, his business had grown and he became quite successful as a Real Estate mogul.
In the late fifties, his adventurous nature led him into the world of politics where he began dabbling in local Valley events. Soon he was working with Los Angeles City Councilmen, serving as Chief of Staff for State Senators, and State Assemblymen as well as being a Building and Safety Commissioner. He also served on the staff of Mayor Sam Yorty.
As one of the original city planners for the city of Agoura Hills, he became well known in that community where he was recently remembered at the closing of a city council meeting.
In the eighties, Joe was appointed Commissioner to the California State Medi-cal Board by then Govenor George Deukmejian. Joe retired from politics after this appointment.
Joe retired to his home in Ventura with his wife Claire. They spent much of their time with their grandchildren, Thomas Joseph (TJ) and Krystle.
After 56 years of marriage, Joe's beloved, Claire, passed away in 2003. Joe remained in his Ventura home, and often visited his second home and real estate investments in Las Vegas.
Joe passed away peacefully at St. John's Regional Hospital due to complications of pnemonia. From 2012 to the present, while suffering from dementia, he was provided assistance by his caregiver, Carolina, in the comfort of his own home. He lived 91 adventurous years.
He is survived by hid Daughter, Joyce and son-in-law, Tom Coniglio. He leaves behind grandson, Thomas Joseph and his wife Roberta and granddaughter Krystle Lynn Newkirk and her husband Nick. Also, he is survived by his newest blessings, great grandsons, Ryan Anthony Newkirk and Luca Orazio Coniglio.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18