- Date Of Birth: August 14, 1935
- Date Of Death: July 24, 2022
- State: Connecticut
Joseph Anthony Damiano, 86, of New Fairfield, a longtime resident of Arizona, died peacefully on Sunday, July 24, 2022.
Joe was born in New York, NY on August 14, 1935; a son of the late Rocco and Rosa (Mardiello) Damiano. Joe grew up in Little Italy, playing stickball in the streets, raising pigeons on the roof of his apartment building, and causing a little havoc in the neighborhood.
Joe and Dotty raised their family in New Fairfield before retiring to Fort Mohave, Arizona. Due to failing health, Joe moved back to New Fairfield in 2021 and lived with his daughter and son-in-law. Joe was always an athlete, a trait he passed on to his children. He played basketball on the Army team while stationed in Germany and continued to play pick-up ball upon his return home. In the 70s and early ’80s, he could be found on Sunday mornings at Memorial Field in New Fairfield playing softball. Joe was also a member of the New Fairfield Lions Club, here and the softball field area where many friendships were born. He convinced Dotty that a bowling league would be fun and while there was usually a very funny story about Dotty’s play, Joe was usually winning. After retiring to Arizona, Joe found a softball team but it was “Just too damn hot” to play. He discovered a group that played ping pong, he never lost a game, to hear him tell it. If Joe wasn’t home watching the Yankees, Giants, or the Knicks, he could be found at the casino in the Poker Room. Joe was such a good player, that the casino asked him to go to school to become a Poker Dealer, which he did for a number of years until he decided he would rather win the casino’s money than be paid.
Joe worked as a printer, running several different printing presses throughout his life. He retired from Mideastern Printing in Brookfield, CT in 1997.
Joe’s pride and joy were his grandchildren, Bre and Devin. He had a special bond with each of them that can only be described as prideful love.
The family would like to take this time to thank his caregivers, Carolina, Mercedes, and Tiffany, who treated him with respect, compassion, patience, and love.
