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1936 - 2022
1936 - 2022
Obituary
Guest Book
1936
2022
Yadkinville
Mr. Joseph Delano Spatafore, 85, passed away Friday, October 21, 2022 at Forsyth Medical Center. Mr. Spatafore was born November 4, 1936 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Jean Spatafore. He was a veteran of the US Air Force and retired as Post Master after working in the postal service for 33 years. He enjoyed walking his dog Lucy, puzzles, gardening, and cooking.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Spatafore was preceded in death by a brother, Anthony Spatafore. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Ruth Ann Taylor Spatafore; children, Bettejean (Terry) Spatafore, Joseph Spatafore, Jr. and Cydney Hill (Matthew Reedy); step children, Robert (Melissa) Kolva, Kimberly (Christopher) Diezel, and Daniel (Lourdes) Kolva; grandchildren, CJ, Charles, Robert, Rob, Zachary, Samuel, Hannah, Marcos, and Lucas; great grandchildren, Kass, Sarabell, Mary Louise, Quinton, Damien, Nicoletta, Colin, Macklin, Isaak, Tyler, Jackson, and Delaney; a sister, Pat Ciabbatoni; and his sweet dog, Lucy.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to www.patriotpaws.org.
Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Spatafore family.
8 Entries
Gwen (Piercey) Alcock
November 14, 2022
I was saddened to learn of Joe’s death from my sister, Lisa.
Joe was a cherished and frequent visitor to our home when he was stationed in Newfoundland in his Air Force days. Re-connecting with him through email a few years ago was such a lovely surprise, and I enjoyed learning about his family and life story through emails and pictures. His was a gentle man, whose love for family was paramount.
Please accept my sincerest sympathy. I will keep you in my prayers.
Lisa Piercey
November 10, 2022
I first met Joe when I was four years old. At that time, he was stationed at Ft. Pepperrell, here in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He worked at the radar site just outside the city. I remember Joe and many of his friends coming to our house as guests of my older siblings and my parents. We all shared good times. Joe was so kind (and handsome!) and even after he moved to his next assignment in San Diego he didn’t forget about me. I still have a tiny purse that he sent to me. I’m not sure how it happened, but in recent years we connected again by email and we sent pictures and recipes back and forth and we complained to each other about the prices of gas and groceries going up so much. I had a funny feeling when I hadn’t heard from him in a little while. I wrote him another email and didn’t hear back. Just this morning, I found his obituary and I feel so sad. Ruth, we’ve never met but I feel that I know you. Joe’s love for you, his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren was so evident in his messages. Stay strong in your memories of him. Tomorrow is Remembrance Day here; a time when we give thanks and remember our veterans. It will have special significance for me when I attach a poppy to the cenotaph in Joe’s memory.
Lisa Piercey, St. John’s, Newfoundland
Santa Bartholomew
October 28, 2022
Larry and I are sending prayers to your family during this sad time
Jay and Dee Sharp
October 24, 2022
He is not gone he is just away. Memories sustain us, and your memories of his life and kindnesses will see you through this difficult time. Trust and faith in our Lord as he takes on your burden. Joe was a great classmate and a great friend. RIP
Teri
October 23, 2022
I will miss our weekly conversations, keeping up with our families,pictures of you and Ruth, Cyds children and your beautiful puzzles you put together. My is broken our weekly get together won't happen. But I will always have the memories. RIP my friend!
Bettejean Spatafore
October 23, 2022
Daddy, I love you SO much! I'll be forever grateful for everything you taught me. Your babygirl, Bj
Michele and Darrell Beal
October 23, 2022
I remember when I first met Joe and Ruth when Cydney was just 14 and how he loved her. And he always loved being out in his boat. He taught me how to make a clam bake. We still have the pan he gave us more than 20 years ago.
Just Carmichael
October 23, 2022
Ruth I am so sorry. You and your family will be in my prayers
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