Joseph Paul "Pappa Joe" Provenza

Joseph Paul Provenza "Pappa Joe"

SHREVEPORT, LA - Joseph Paul Provenza, "Papa Joe", born October 27, 1915 and passed away on Friday, August 18, 2006 after a brief illness. Visitation will be Monday, August 21, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. until vigil service time at 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Chapel. A Funeral Mass celebrating the life of Papa Joe will be held 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Officiating will be Monsignor Earl V. Provenza, VF. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

Mr. Provenza was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Paul and Rosa Provenza; his loving wife of 60 years, Josephine Scorsone Provenza; one infant daughter, Patricia Josephine Provenza; four sisters, Tina Hearst, Josephine DeFatta, Lucille Cordaro and Mary Rose DeFatta; two brothers, Anthony J. Provenza and Charles Walter Provenza.

He is survived by three daughters, Rose Rita McClernon and husband Frank of Springfield, MO, Bernadine Kalinsky and husband Dr. Robert of Shreveport, LA and Mary Ann Bargmann and husband Steven, of Frisco, TX; three sons, Joseph Paul Provenza, Jr. and wife Pam of Houston, TX, Charles Conrad Provenza and wife Anna of Shreveport, LA and Jerry Anthony Provenza and wife Carolyn of Niceville, FL; sixteen grandchildren, Dr. Joseph McClernon, Kelly McClernon Matiasevich, Michael R. McClernon, Christopher McClernon, Tammy Renee Beard, Dr. Joseph Edward Morneau, Meshelle Morneau Fargason, Steven Michael Bargmann, Joseph Paul Provenza, IV, Amanda Provenza, Brian Provenza, Joey Provenza, Betsy Provenza, Heather Provenza, Kristi Provenza Pierce and Tiffany Ann Provenza; six great-grandchildren, John Francis Matiasevich, Mary Rose Matiasevich, twins, Taylor Ashley and Katelin Marie Beard, William Francis McClernon and Amelia Kate Fargason; four brothers, Monsignor Earl V. Provenza, VF, Sammy Paul Provenza, Louis Provenza and Johnny Provenza and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe Provenza, a lifelong resident of Shreveport, attended Allendale Grade School, Hope Street Junior High, Fair Park High School and Centenary College. He worked at The Shreveport Times for a year as a Teletype operator for the Associated Press and at United Gas Pipeline Company for 35 years in the accounting department. He was a member of the Oil and Gas Association, the Immaculate Conception Society at Christ the King Catholic Church, bookkeeper for St. Joseph Catholic Church Credit Union, member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

Joe lived a very long and productive life with the love of his family, as he was always interested in his children and grandchildren's accomplishments. Some of his hobbies included: traveling with wife and family both in the states and abroad, planting flowers, fruit and pecan trees, grafting trees, appreciating the arts and music, especially the opera, of which Madame Butterfly was his favorite, working crossword puzzles, staying abreast of current events/world affairs and reading daily from a variety of literature. He will truly be missed as he touched the lives of so many people with his vivacious personality, wisdom and zest for life.

Pallbearers include Dr. Joe McClernon, Paul Provenza, Dr. Joe Morneau, Joey Provenza, Michael Bargmann, and Brian Provenza.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to the nurses and staff on the East Wing Station at Willis-Knighton Pierremont Hospital, at the Life Care Hospital on Linwood Avenue and at the Live Oak Retirement Community. Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Marshall St. Chapel - 222-0348