Joseph A. Pagliuca

1924 - 2017

Joseph A. Pagliuca

Chapel Hill

Buon viaggio, Joseph A. Pagliuca. October 5 1924- September 18, 2017.

Our dad died in his own bed surrounded by his family, all of whom he fiercely loved. In the days before his death he was able to visit with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He phoned his sister Lucille and a few remaining friends to say goodbye.

His life is the quintessential American success story. His non-English speaking parents immigrated from southern Italy in 1920. Salvatore, our grandfather, was a shoemaker. Joe was the first of three children, all born in the Bronx during the depression.

When he was 18 he served as a U.S Army infantryman during WWII in France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. A few years later, now a newly commissioned officer, he served in the Korean conflict.

Between wars he attended Michigan State University on the GI bill, graduated with a degree in chemistry and married Janet Woods, a young singer from Mt. Vernon, Illinois who was living in New York. Boldly, they moved away from the Bronx and started our family. First, Framingham, MA; Next Basking Ridge NJ, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Texas, back to Japan, then retired to Denver, and finally Chapel Hill NC. Over this period of time, he steadily rose up the corporate ladder. He became the Executive Vice President of Kasei Upjohn Company in Japan, which was a joint venture between Upjohn and Mitsubishi Chemicals. He had similar responsibilities in Europe, and some years later returned to Japan and assumed the position of Representative Director of GAF (JAPAN) Ltd. He was instrumental in helping GAF build a strong presence in the chemical business in Tokyo.

Joe is survived by his wife Janet and his children, Stephen (Judy), Jeffrey, and Bliss (Peter) Turner. Joe will also be remembered by his ten grandchildren: Joseph (Felicia), Stephanie, Jesse, Nick, Megan (Will Bordelon), Beth, James, Shane Turner, Juliana Turner, and Serafina Turner along with two great grandchildren: Ella and Sienna, and by his sister Lucille Mellusi and niece Gina (Michael) Simone.

He succeeded in life through hard work, honesty, loyalty, and humility. He will be truly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Joseph Pagliuca may be directed to support the Duke Cancer Institute Fund at Duke University. Please make checks payable to the Duke Cancer Institute. Gifts may be mailed with a notation in the memo section, indicating that this gift is in memory of Joseph Pagliuca. Mailing address: The Duke Cancer Institute, 710 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701. Gifts may also be made online at www.dukecancerinstitute.org by selecting on Donors followed by clicking on Ways to Give and choosing The Duke Cancer Fund.