Joseph Anthony Agnello

Joseph Anthony AGNELLO Age 76, of Bellevue. Passed away on February 7th after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born in 1931 in Jamestown, New York to Anthony and Antoinette Agnello. He was raised in Monaca, Pennsylvania and at an early age possessed the leadership and people skills that later defined his character. Family, friends, and professional colleagues often sought out his advice and counsel. Joe graduated from the University at Santa Clara in California in 1953 with a BA in Business Administration where he was in the ROTC program. Joe served as a First Lieutenant in the Army at Fort Lewis before joining Bethlehem Steel in 1955 in sales and marketing. His long and successful career at Bethlehem Steel included lobbying for the steel industry in Washington DC, and working as an industry consultant for local media for the Seattle Bethlehem Steel Plant. After retiring from Bethlehem Steel as a Senior Vice President, he worked as a consultant to the Canadian steel manufacturer that bought the West Seattle plant. Finally, Joe worked as a real estate agent for several years where he sold a lot of houses and made many new friends. Joe's interests included refereeing and coaching basketball while his two children were young, and his lifelong love of golf. Joe served as president of Glendale Country Club in 1977 through 1979. Joe was married to Janet Reisinger (deceased); they had two children, Steven and Christine. Joe married Jean Ricklefs (deceased) in 1974. They shared a love for golf and made a trip to Scotland to play. Joe and Jean also shared the joy of being loving grandparents to their two grandchildren, Nick and Marie Agnello. Joe was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and for over fifteen years volunteered his talents to various outreach ministries and served his church community as a member of the Pastoral Council and as a Eucharistic Minister. In addition Joe was a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus organization. Joe is survived by his son, Steven J. Agnello and his daughter-in-law, Jan Agnello and his grandchildren, Nicholas and Marie Agnello of Atlanta, Georgia; his daughter, Christine L. Tompa and his son-in-law, Adam Tompa of Bellevue; his sister, Polly Vitkovich and nephew, Henry Vitkovich, both of San Jose, CA; his niece, Karen Strain of Pleasanton, CA and Martha Garmanian of Bellevue. Martha was Joe's loving and selfless soulmate for the past four years caring for him in sickness and in health. Joe's Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bellevue. Friends are invited to share their memories of Joe at a Reception at Glendale Country Club after the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Evergreen Hospice Services, 12822 124th Lane NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 or to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 9460 NE 14th Street, Bellevue, WA 98004. Friends are invited to share memories, sign the family's online guest book and get directions at www.flintofts.com.