NORWICH – Joseph E. Caezza passed away Monday, April 6, 2009 at home surrounded by the love of his family. He was born in Norwich on April 24, 1932, the son of John and Jennie (Testa) Caezza. He graduated from Norwich High School and Broome Community College.
Joe married Virginia Biviano on August 17, 1955. She passed away on September 5, 1972. He married Shirley Fernandes on May 30, 1975 in St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church.
Joe was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society and the Glickers, a “social club” of a few GLA employees and a former St. Bartholomew’s usher. He was employed as an engineer at GE in Syracuse and then, for over 38 years, at GLA, which became Simmonds Precision and now Unison. Joe served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and subsequently in the US Army Reserves until 1961.
Joe is survived by his wife, Shirley and his children, Joe Jr. and his fiancée, Anna Marie Ward of Norwich; Dianne (Jan) Lotyczewski and their daughters, Lisa and Susan of Atlanta, GA; Jim (Sandy) and sons Michael and Stephen of Rochester, NY; Mary Caezza of Buffalo and Allison (Sam) Robertson and children Emma and Alex of Aurora, CO. He is also survived by his sister Theresa Biviano and cousin Ed Sidote and numerous cousins and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, John.
Joe was actively involved in the Boy Scouts from the age of 12, starting as a member of St. Bart’s Scout Troop 70, and then later served as Patrol Leader and Scout Master. He enjoyed camping, building and repairing computers and volunteered many hours at the Norwich YMCA networking and repairing their computers. He was a talented builder who could design and construct any project. His real passion was gardening, especially growing tomatoes and garlic, known to his friends as the “garlic king” and he enjoyed sharing his bounty. Joe spent countless hours enjoying the company of his brother John, whether it was cutting wood, making apple cider, doing house repairs, they were friends. Joe was a huge Giants fan and enjoyed watching Syracuse basketball.
A Mass of Resurrection for Joe will be held at noon on Saturday at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Friends are invited to call from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday at the Wilson Funeral Home. The Rosary will be recited at 3:30 on Friday. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chenango Memorial Hospital Foundation, 179 No. Broad St., Norwich or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home web site at: http://wilsonfh.com.