Obituary of Joseph F. Fugardi

Joseph F. Fugardi, age 96, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his three children.

Son of the late Joseph and Vincenza Fugardi and brother to older sister Antoinette, Joseph was born and raised in Astoria, NY. Prior to joining the US Armed Forces, he attended La Salle Academy graduating with honors. He was stationed in Japan during the US Japanese occupation post World War II. Upon his return, Joseph attended Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ graduating on the dean’s list with a Mechanical Engineering degree and Master of Science Degree. He was a proud member of the nationally recognized academic fraternity, Tau Beta Pi.

Joseph’s true passion was sailing. He owned many sailboats, but it was his “J24”that gave him the most joy. As a committed member of the Chelsea Yacht Club for many years, Joe raced his Wildfire each Sunday with a small crew of fellow sailors and was successful at capturing the wind to obtain many trophies. His adventurous spirit also took him skiing to some of the most difficult terrain that New York, Vermont, Montreal, and Colorado have to offer.

Joe spent 25+ years with IBM in Poughkeepsie and East Fishkill NY. He was a very active parishioner with Saint Mary’s Church in Wappingers Falls. Alongside his wife Dorothy, he served as a Eucharistic Minister who provided comfort to and prayed with homebound members. He and Dorothy were also Marriage Encounter coordinators and counselors.

Joseph will now be reunited with the love of his life, Dorothy Fugardi, after sharing 64 years of marriage. Son Stephen of MA, daughter Laura of NY, and daughter Claire of CO have been eternally blessed with the life lessons, enduring love, and ‘can-do’ attitude that he showered upon them. Joseph’s four grandchildren, Sean, Rachael, Marissa, and DJ are equally blessed with the spirit of love that he shared.

Please join us at his visitation on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 5 to 7pm at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home located at 55 East Main St, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 13, 2024 10am at Saint Mary’s Church located at 11 Clinton St, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joseph’s name to Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, 80 Washington St, Suite 204, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, www.hvhospice.org.

To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.