Joseph A. Fanelli
Born May 27, 1932, passed away peacefully into the arms of Our Lord on June 3, 2015. Lovingly raised in Pittsburgh by parents Mary and Henry; he moved to NYC and later years, the Sarasota/Bradenton, FL area. Survived by his wife of 20 years, Pauline (Stumpf), former wife, Cindy of NYC; brother Rico (Althea) of FL, late brother Frank (Maria); daughters, Dina from NYC and Carla (Christopher) O’Reilly of Miami, FL; Pap Pap to Aiden and Fiona O’Reilly; step children Lisa Pecora of Sarasota, Laina (Craig) Schechtman of CA, Peter Pecora of Oakmont and Paula (Richard) DiGeronimo of Independence, OH and Pap Joe to
10 step grandchildren.
Joe was a loving son, brother husband, father and grandfather. Serving in the Korean War he was a committed Patriot. A perpetual candle will be lit in the Arlington Cemetery, WA. To know him, was to love him and he loved back. With his family musical background, singing was a natural talent performing on stage and TV for 15 years.
Joe has been a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, wrote song lyrics published by Notable Music, children’s books, his autobiography and the reknown “A Century of Fine Carriage Clocks”. A skilled clock maker, he maintained many antique clocks to the “stars” and Europeans. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church.
Friends received in William F. Gross Funeral Home, Ltd. 11735 Frankstown Rd. (at Rodi Rd.), Penn Hills Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral prayers Thursday at 9:30a.m., Mass of Christian burial in St. Bartholomew Church 10 a.m. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In Lieu of Flowers contributions acknowledged to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34288 (941-552-7500)