Joseph Ganguzza

Joseph Ganguzza, born to Giuseppe Ganguzza and Rosa Patire on May 27, 1932, alongside his beloved twin sister Grace, passed peacefully in his sleep on May 14, 2024, just two weeks shy of his 92nd birthday.  

While we are so grateful to have had him sharp as a tack and making us laugh for so many years, it’s never enough time with someone like Joe. He was quite simply the best. His pure heart shined through his beautiful smile. He was everyone’s “favorite guy,” always available for advice, compassion, a heartfelt letter, poem, song, or a (often inappropriate) joke.

While he was so proud of his Sicilian roots, Joe was a true patriot and proud Italian- American. Growing up as one of 6 siblings, he took great pride in his hardworking immigrant family building an American dream through sheer blood, sweat, and tears, in founding Valley Fair discount department stores. His years in military service helped build his strong and disciplined character. His credo truly was Family, Faith, and Country and he lived his life serving all of them with great pride and dignity.  

Nothing brought him more joy than his family, his wife Frances of 65 years, his cherished children Joe, Donna, and Theresa, his sons in law, Rob and Josh, his eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and his extended family of nieces and nephews.  

In recent years, Joe so enjoyed his extensive network of friends and leadership positions in his community who will miss him like family.  

While he will be missed tremendously, as a man of faith he always reminded us how much he looked forward to being reunited with the rest of us family at the end of his life, and we take comfort in knowing that he surely has been. We will think of him everyday and will proudly pass his beautiful legacy on to the next generation. He always was and always will be loved and cherished beyond measure.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Wounded Warrior Project woundedwarriorproject.org in Joe’s honor.