Joseph James Mancini, Sr. died most peacefully at home on January 15, 2021 with his loving family and caregiver Andrea by his side. He died with the same strength and courage in which he lived his long life.
Joseph was born in Stamford, CT on February 14, 1925, son of the late Anthony and Mary (DelPianto) Mancini. Joseph and the love of his life Rose, married for 62 years, raised their four children in Stamford.
Joe attended Stamford Public Schools where he excelled in baseball and basketball. He left High School to proudly serve our country in World War II. He served in the Army for three years touching down in Normandy in 1944. His love of sports continued while in the Army and throughout his entire life, coaching and umpiring. He was a proud member of the Stamford Old Timers. Joe found great joy in instructing his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren giving sports tips right up until this past Christmas. His knowledge of anything sports was incredible.
Joe worked many jobs raising his family, retiring from the U.S. Postal Service. In his retirement, he went on to work at the Stamford JCC where he made hundreds of paper boats for the children who passed him at the front desk. He also had a great love of music, loved to sing and played his base fiddle for many years in his band.
Joe, (Grandpa Joe/Great Grandpa Joe) was proud of and loved and lived for his family. He was the ultimate giver, a lover of life, lover of people and a happy man with the most positive outlook on life. He was a friend to all. Joe had an amazing memory and the gift of gab. He found great joy in bringing his memories to life about his family, childhood and the three years he spent serving our country. If you knew Joe, you knew he had a story for everything.
Left to cherish his memory are children Melanie and Michael Sierpina, Kathleen and Jack Joyce and Thomas and Lisa Mancini.
Grandchildren Kristyn and Kristopher O'Brien, Kathryn and William Barford, Christopher Joyce and fiance Megan Anderson, Scott Joyce, Jeremy and Leah Mancini, Jenna, Arden, Lily and Imre Mancini and Diana and Robert Wenner.
Great-grandchildren Mikey, Maggie and Molly O'Brien, William and Grayson Barford, Callan Joyce and Spencer, Piper and Colton Wenner.
Also survived by sister Nancy Cotellessa. He was predeceased by his loving wife Rose Terranova Mancini, beloved son Joseph J. Mancini, Jr. Sisters Theresa Mancini, Philomena DeMarco and Gloria Inzitari.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Joseph's caregivers, Andrea, Roderick, and Donna. Also a special thank you to Anthony Notaro and all the staff at Cognetta Funeral Home for their continued support and care they gave and give over the years, always comforting during the hardest times.
There will be no calling hours.
Interment will be private.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home and Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 is handling arrangements.
Family requests that donations be made in Joe's memory to The Umbrella Club at theumbrellaclub.org or by mailing donations to the Umbrella Club, PO BOX 112238, Stamford, CT 06911-2238.