Joseph Vincent DeMaggio

DeMAGGIO - JOSEPH VINCENT DeMAGGIO On September 11, 2011 swiftly, softly, mercifully and with tenderness Joe DeMaggio smiled as his angel, his granddaughter, escorted him to his Lord Jesus Christ. As his family held his hands, his last words were "OK, Let's Go". Many New York City Policemen joined thousands of World War II Veterans to welcome him into the kingdom of heaven. At the age of 93, many relatives preceded his everlasting legacy from his granddaughter Andi; parents Leonardo and Agnes DeMaggio; brothers, Dominic, Antonio and Fredo DeMaggio; and Alma, Bill and Candy Horabin, Vera, Chick, Henrietta and Raymond Weber, Papa, Nana, Andy and Fanny Granelli, Father Andrew Granelli, Adele Balz, to WW II comrades in arms, especially Bill Mazio. Joe was so proud to serve his Lord Jesus Christ, his country and honor his wife of sixty five years, Anna, his family, his church, his friends, his neighbors and lead by example. Joe and Anna (Dolly) loved each other unconditionally and exceptionally. Veterans Day 1945 served as their Wedding Day but every day was a day of devotion. Anna always came first in his life with no equals. His immediate family lead by his wife and school teacher of many (30) years, Anna, includes his sister, Pompelia DeMaggio; daughter, Joanne Summers and son-in-law, Mike Miller; and son, Paul and daughter-in-law, Jan DeMaggio. His exceptional family includes his grandchildren, Andrea Marie DeMaggio (d), Michael and Michelle Summers, Jennifer and Matt McKinney, Stan and Monica Sanchez, Jeff and Sabrina Sanchez, and Kenneth Miller; great-grandchildren, Jordyn Summers, Sophia, Francesca and Maya Sanchez, and Elayna McKinney; nieces, nephews and their families, Bill Horabin and Peggy Russell, Deborah and Tim Nicosia, Amy Horabin, Christopher, Kristen and Campbell Horabin, Larry, Ann Marie, Andrew and Charlie Granelli, Peter, Carol, Scott and Laura Granelli, Jackie Weber and Annabelle Gallegos, Mary (Weber), Nicole, Stacey, Stephanie Howard and Keith Bauer, Catherine, Bill, Peter and Audrey Ullman, Vincent, Cathy, Andy and Michelle DeMaggio, Bernadette, Mike and Marlaina Symanski, John DeMaggio, Bekah Hamner and Matt Eng; and special relatives and special friends, Leon, Gloria, Russell and Roy Solerno, Ethel, Susan and Steven Shepard, the Esposito family, the Fanning family, Sister Jean, the Sisters of Notre Dame and Sisters of Holy Ghost Church, Allyne Smith, Clarence Haverland, Red Shallenberger, Charlie and Arlene Fellini, John Hayes, Frank and BJ White, Doug and Andie Summers, The Sprenger Street Neighbors, and the Saturday at four pm mass friends. Special memories: The priests, the nuns and the neighbors of St. Anthony of Padua, from 1955 to 1969. Joe also loved to play golf with Anna (Dolly) at Arroyo Del Oso Dam 9. He was a good bowler and as usual contributed his personal time, typing and short-hand skills to Church, Police, Elks, and bowling leagues. Joe DeMaggio loved the Yankees especially number 5, the late Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee clipper, and would tell the story of when he (Joe V. DeMaggio) with his son on his dad's shoulder met the late great hall of fame baseball announcer Mel Allen at Yankee stadium. He also would tell the story of introducing himself "Hi Mickey, I'm Joe DeMaggio" to NY Yankee #7 Mickey Mantle at Four Hills golf course. In December, 2001 during a New Mexico support visit to New York City, Joe was asked to participate in an Indian memorial ceremony for the victims of the 9/11 attacks in Battery Park near Ground Zero. Several elected officials including NM Senator Peter Domenici attended, and Joe was chosen to represent America's veterans, holding the American flag, which he proudly displayed in his home. Highlights of his career: Joe met Dolly as a tap dancer entertainer at a movie theater in Jamaica, New York. She was a candy girl there and they fell in love. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dolly's birthday, the show stopped and their love story went on hiatus. Joe served in the Army while she worked at a factory making parachutes. He tap danced again with his granddaughter, Jennifer, at his 50th wedding anniversary. In World War II he served in the Army for 44 months mostly in the Normandy campaign. When they visited the Washington DC memorial, Joe was so proud when people cheered him as a hero for his service and appreciated their own freedom. As police officer assistant to the Queens Borough Captain he was responsible for coordinating the security for Presidents, the Pope and the Beatles Shea Stadium performance. He contributed his spare time and energy to the church he loved in South Ozone Park, New York. He worked on the Sisters of Notre Dame Convent, ushered, mentored and labored to benefit St. Anthony of Padua church and school functions. He also labored on his own home built in 1955 where he lived until moving to Albuquerque in 1968. The New York to Albuquerque transition originated as a result of Anna's sister Alma meeting Bill Horabin who was in Washington DC to testify before Congress as a survivor of the Bataan Death March. His first visit to Albuquerque was in 1952 to vacation with the Horabins. The DeMaggio's wedding picture and his personal letter is included in "The Greatest Generation Speaks" by Tom Brokaw. In celebration of Joe's life, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Risen Savior Catholic Community, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE, with Monsignor Richard Olona, Celebrant. In lieu of flowers, Joe and Anna request memorial donations to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or volunteer services to Special Spaces Albuquerque (specialspacesalbuquerque.org). Special thanks to those doctors and nurses who care(d) for Joe and Anna and to St. Jude and Andi, for hearing and answering our prayers. Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to our working families at Rio Grande Travel, DataTraq, Special Spaces Albuquerque and W & W Steel LLC.