Joseph Leo DiCesare

Joseph Leo DiCesare, Ph.D., of Redding, CT, passed away on September 4, 2025, at Danbury Hospital. He was born on September 25, 1943, in Woonsocket, RI, the son of the late Leo DiCesare and Rose (Santucci) DiCesare.

Joseph was married to the love of his life, the late Susan DiCesare (Roddy) for 41 years until her passing in 2011. Joe and Susan moved to Redding, CT where they raised their son Christopher, and shared many years of love and dedication. Their home was lively with beloved pets and filled with beautiful art and antiques, a passion of Susan's. Joe could often be found tending to the property, which was a source of solace for Joe who appreciated the visits from a variety of wildlife. He also enjoyed spending time with family, golfing with friends, skiing, and traveling with his son Christopher.

Joe dedicated his career to working as a scientist, which reflected both his intellectual curiosity and commitment to advancing knowledge in his field. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Rhode Island and in 1973 joined the Perkin-Elmer Corporation where he would stay until his retirement in 2016. There he pursued research that resulted in 39 patents, including nucleic acid amplification and work on the Hubble Space Telescope.

He was predeceased by his sister Beverly and his parents. He is survived by his son Christopher DiCesare, daughter-in-law Alicia Fuller, sister Gloria Nadeau, sister-in-law Pat Thatcher, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be private, in keeping with the family's wishes. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joseph's memory may be made to Connecticut Foodshare.