NORWICH – Joseph Mirabito, 97, of 33 Mechanic Street, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Norwich on Sept. 1, 1910, Joseph was the son of Salvatore and Josephine (LoCantro) Mirabito. After his schooling, Joe worked as a knitter at the former Norwich Knitting Mill. He then worked for a short time for the Norwich Pharmacal Company on American Avenue before joining his uncle in Massachusetts in the operation of his trolley stop store. On May 11, 1940, in St. Paul’s Church, Joe married the former Janie E. Messina. Janie passed away on September 11, 1990. Returning to Norwich in 1943, Joe once again worked as a shipper for the Pharmacal Company. In 1946, Joe purchased the L & M Market in Hamilton which he operated until he sold the store in 1971. In 1982, Joe and Janie moved to Phoenix and then in 1985, to San Diego. Following Janie’s passing, Joe returned to Norwich in 1991.
Joe was an avid lifelong sportsman, both as an active participant in baseball and golf and a passionate spectator of all sports, especially Boston Red Sox baseball and Notre Dame football. He spent his retirement years with a deep devotion to family and friends, endearing himself with his ready smile, friendly greetings, words of wisdom and reaching out to those in need with frequent visits to the elderly confined to nursing homes. Affectionately known as Grandpa Joe, he provided inspiration to young and old alike, but especially to his grandchildren and their spouses.
Joe was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church, the Norwich Elks Lodge and of the Norwich Family YMCA. He was formerly a member of Canasawacta Country Club and of Seven Oaks Golf Course in Hamilton.
Joe is survived by his son, Samuel Mirabito and his wife, Mary, of Chester, CT; two grandchildren and their spouses, Julie and Frank Douglass of New York City and Mark and Andrea Mirabito of Fairfield, CT; two great grandchildren, Henry and Kate Douglass of New York City; a sister, Concetta ‘Tini’ and Tom Mirabito of Sidney; three brothers and their wives, Frank Mirabito of Norwich, Salvatore ‘Toots’ and Ruth Mirabito of Seaford, Long Island and Fred and Estelle Mirabito of Norwich. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Joe was predeceased by a brother, James.
A Mass of Resurrection for Joe will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24 at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wilson Funeral Home on Monday from 4 - 7 p.m. The rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joe may be made to the Msgr. Festa Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Bartholomew’s Church, East Main Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: http://wilsonfh.com.