Joseph “Joe” Peter Cammarata, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and the heart of his family, passed away peacefully at home on November 22, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born on March 22, 1933, in Passaic, New Jersey, to Mary and Peter Cammarata, Italian immigrants who worked tirelessly to give their children a better life. Joe later married the love of his life, Camille, and together they built a family rooted in devotion, hard work, and unconditional love. These were the values his parents taught him, and the values he carried throughout his entire life.
Joe grew up helping in the family’s neighborhood markets, the Cammarata Superette and later the Bel Vista Italian Grocer. These stores were more than businesses. They were places where neighbors gathered, where food was shared, and where Joe learned the importance of kindness and service. As a boy stocking shelves or helping customers, he began building the work ethic and generosity that defined his entire life.
As Joe’s career progressed, he continued doing what he loved and naturally found his way to ShopRite. He thrived in the rhythm of the grocery business and took great joy in helping people, carrying forward the same spirit of service he learned in his family’s stores.
After his time with ShopRite, Joe moved his family to Tucson to be close to Camille’s mother. What began as a move for family soon became a true home, a place he fell in love with and never wanted to leave. His passion for feeding people led him to run two beloved local restaurants, Corleone’s Restaurant and the Courtyard Café, where he created the same welcoming atmosphere that had filled his family’s stores back home.
Joe was known for his incredible heart. His door was always open, and there was always room at his table no matter how full it already was. Cooking was how he showed love. If you walked into his home, you were family, and you were going to eat. He cared for Camille with unwavering devotion until the day she passed, and he carried that same enormous love in his heart for his children and grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Camille; his son, Rick; his siblings Rosemary, Josephine, and Frank; his father-in-law, Ercola Imperato; his mother-in-law, Mary Corsale; and his brother-in-law, Allen Imperato.
Joe leaves behind a family who adored him. He is survived by his daughters Maria Cammarata (Jaimie) and Deena Sloan, and by his sons Brian Cammarata (Allison), Steve Cammarata (Nikki), and his daughter-in-law Jennifer. He is also survived by his grandchildren Brittni Sloan, Kiley Cammarata, Kenzie Cammarata, Joey Cammarata, CC Cammarata, and Nicholas Cammarata.
Joe loved all sports, especially University of Arizona basketball, and he took tremendous pride in cheering on his children and then his grandchildren at all of their games. His family will always remember his gentle strength, his firm handshake, his humor, and the warmth he brought to everyone around him. His legacy lives on in the recipes he passed down, the stories shared at family gatherings, his unmistakable laugh, the joyful way he called out in excitement each time someone opened a gift at Christmas, and in the love he shared so freely.
Joe lived a beautiful life defined by loyalty, humility, and deep devotion. God broke the mold with Joe Cammarata, he will be forever missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Joe Cammarata to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/give.html) or Hope Animal Shelter (https://www.hopeanimalshelter.net/donate).
A Celebration of Life for Joe will be held at Casas Church, 10801 N La Cholla Boulevard, at 1:00 PM on January 10, 2026.
Joe grew up helping in the family’s neighborhood markets, the Cammarata Superette and later the Bel Vista Italian Grocer. These stores were more than businesses. They were places where neighbors gathered, where food was shared, and where Joe learned the importance of kindness and service. As a boy stocking shelves or helping customers, he began building the work ethic and generosity that defined his entire life.
As Joe’s career progressed, he continued doing what he loved and naturally found his way to ShopRite. He thrived in the rhythm of the grocery business and took great joy in helping people, carrying forward the same spirit of service he learned in his family’s stores.
After his time with ShopRite, Joe moved his family to Tucson to be close to Camille’s mother. What began as a move for family soon became a true home, a place he fell in love with and never wanted to leave. His passion for feeding people led him to run two beloved local restaurants, Corleone’s Restaurant and the Courtyard Café, where he created the same welcoming atmosphere that had filled his family’s stores back home.
Joe was known for his incredible heart. His door was always open, and there was always room at his table no matter how full it already was. Cooking was how he showed love. If you walked into his home, you were family, and you were going to eat. He cared for Camille with unwavering devotion until the day she passed, and he carried that same enormous love in his heart for his children and grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Camille; his son, Rick; his siblings Rosemary, Josephine, and Frank; his father-in-law, Ercola Imperato; his mother-in-law, Mary Corsale; and his brother-in-law, Allen Imperato.
Joe leaves behind a family who adored him. He is survived by his daughters Maria Cammarata (Jaimie) and Deena Sloan, and by his sons Brian Cammarata (Allison), Steve Cammarata (Nikki), and his daughter-in-law Jennifer. He is also survived by his grandchildren Brittni Sloan, Kiley Cammarata, Kenzie Cammarata, Joey Cammarata, CC Cammarata, and Nicholas Cammarata.
Joe loved all sports, especially University of Arizona basketball, and he took tremendous pride in cheering on his children and then his grandchildren at all of their games. His family will always remember his gentle strength, his firm handshake, his humor, and the warmth he brought to everyone around him. His legacy lives on in the recipes he passed down, the stories shared at family gatherings, his unmistakable laugh, the joyful way he called out in excitement each time someone opened a gift at Christmas, and in the love he shared so freely.
Joe lived a beautiful life defined by loyalty, humility, and deep devotion. God broke the mold with Joe Cammarata, he will be forever missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Joe Cammarata to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/give.html) or Hope Animal Shelter (https://www.hopeanimalshelter.net/donate).
A Celebration of Life for Joe will be held at Casas Church, 10801 N La Cholla Boulevard, at 1:00 PM on January 10, 2026.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph "Joe" Peter Cammarata, please visit our flower store.
Consider a donation, as requested by the family.
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