Obituary of Joseph Morabito

Joseph Morabito of Rochester, NY died peacefully on March 31, 2011 at the age of 96. Joseph was born on November 27, 1914 in Utica, New York. A veteran of WWII in the Army Corps of Engineers, he served in New Guinea and Japan. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Victoria, grandparents Joseph and Rosaria Morabito, his parents Pasquale (Patsy) and Rose Morabito, his stepmother Cora Morabito, and his brothers Frank, Daniel and Emanuel. Joseph is survived by his wife Ethel (Bond) of 29 years, his daughter Elaine (Elmore) Snider and his son Patrick (Sofia) Morabito. He leaves behind his three sisters Mildred Merola, Mary (Albert) Montanari and Faye (Lawrence) Iannaccone. Stepchildren Donna (George) Anderson, Karen (Jeff) Ward and Gary Ritzenthaller. Grandchildren David (Connie) Snider, Jonathan (Bonnie) Snider, Lisa (Robert) Percy, Paul Morabito, Melinda (Timothy) Cash. Step-grandchildren Matthew Anderson, Rachel Iocco and Melissa Iocco, Great Grandchildren, Brittany, Joseph, Emma and Abby Percy, Christine Thompson, Adrienne and Vanessa Morabito, Rachel and Andrew Snider, along with several nieces, nephews and many friends. Joseph attended Washington Jr High School where he learned cabinet making. His class made all the typing tables for Benjamin Franklin High School while it was still under construction. He was an accomplished carpenter, learning his trade from his father along with masonry, plastering and brick laying. Alongside his father, he built 35 houses on Baird Street and Rexford Streen in Rochester and St Patrick Drive in Henrietta, among others. One of his sayings was, “If you want it, I can build it!” He is leaving us remembering many stories of his grandparents coming to America to make a new life, his wit, and his sense of humor. He once said , “the person who writes my obituary is going to have a dead end job.” He was a strong compassionate man with a love for his family, friends and music. He especially loved the big band sounds of Glen Miller and Benny Goodman. On many occasions you would find him singing Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby songs, which he referred to as “my music.” On a personal note, he said, “I leave you all with love from my heart. I can never say goodbye.” Family will receive friends on FRIDAY, 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Miller Funeral Homes, Inc. (3325 Winton Road South). Interment, private in Maplewood Cemetery. Home Rochester, New York Birthplace Utica, New York Donations Memorials may be made to the: National Kidney Foundation 15 Prince Street Rochester, New York 14607 Link to the Website