Joseph Mario Speciale Jr.

Joseph Mario Speciale, Jr Born July 26, 1952, Joe passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2007, at age 55 after a long battle with diabetes. He passed away at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, CA, surrounded by his immediate family. Joe was a native of San Jose attending and graduating from Cypress Elementary and Junior High School, Blackford High School, class of 1970, and West Valley Junior College, where he received an Associate of Arts degree. He was also a long-time parishioner of Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Joe had many interests, which included cooking and music. He was an excellent cook, who knew how to make many "dishes" from "scratch". His Italian cooking was especially good, where he took many of his grandmother's recipes and perfected them. Joe also loved good, more traditional types of music, such as "Big Band" music , popular music of the 1950's and 1960's, Rodgers and Hammerstein's and other Hollywood musicals, and opera. Joe also loved the "Lawrence Welk Show", of which he recorded hundreds of episodes. Joe always stayed true to his values and culture. He loved holidays, especially Christmas, and loved to decorate. He especially loved "Old Fashioned" Christmas decorations and would go anywhere he could to purchase them. His Christmas displays were always beautiful. Many holidays were enjoyed because of his immense contribution of music, food and decorations. He will be greatly missed. Joe is the son of the late Joseph Mario Speciale, Sr., and is survived by his mother Margaret Speciale, brother James Speciale, Aunt Mary Calabretta, and many, many cousins. Visitation will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, December 26, at The Lima Family Mortuary, 466 N. Winchester Blvd., Santa Clara, CA. A Funeral Mass will be held the following day, Thursday, December 27, at 12 p.m. at Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 200 O'Conner Dr., San Jose, CA. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos.