Obituary of Joseph P. Versace

Joseph P. Versace, Sr. Joseph P. Versace, Sr. of Wappingers Falls entered into rest Saturday, September 15, 2007 at home surrounded by his family. He was 74. Son of the late Francesco and Matilda Pulichene Versace, he was born on February 25, 1933 in Stoneco. He married the love of his life, Susan Albertson on November 3, 1963 at St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls; they remained happily married for over forty years. Mr. Versace grew up in Wappingers Falls, attending St. Mary's School. He also attended Wappingers Central School. There he was a 4 Letterman and very involved in sports, which would carry through his life. Joseph served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. In 1951, he was recruited by the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team, but instead was called to fulfill his duty to his country; still, he never lost his love of baseball. He was a part of the Dutchess County Softball Hall of Fame and the Thomas MacCriny Sports Hall of Fame for Wappingers Central School. Joseph also sponsored Dutchess County Softball League teams and coached CYO Basketball. Mr. Versace was a local business owner and an employee of Tilcon Corporation for 21 years, until his retirement. In addition to his working, military and baseball career, he was also a professional middleweight boxer. He used his talent to train and manage other boxers and loved every minute of it. Mr. Versace was a member of the S.W. Johnson Fire Company and most importantly to him, a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls. In addition to his wife, Susan at home, he is survived by his sons, Joseph P. Versace, Jr. of Manhattan, Patrick Versace and his wife, Gretchen of Glens Falls, and Kevin Versace and his wife, Rebecca of High Falls; brother, Frank Versace and his wife, Janet of Wappingers Falls; father-in-law, Chester Albertson of Wappingers Falls; grandchildren, Isabella, Colin, Sara and Maria; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, John Versace. Family will receive their friends on Monday, September 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, September 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Wappingers Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Joseph's name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2 Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.