Joseph A. Jannetta

Joseph A. Jannetta, 84, of Lincoln, passed away on Saturday, November 11th, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Joseph J. Jannetta and Olga F. (Lombardi) Jannetta.
Mr. Jannetta was the husband of Debra A. (Calvey) Jannetta and brother to Edward J. of New Port Richey, FL and the late Rev. Alfred L. Jannetta. Also survived by his sons, Joseph J. and Andrew J. of Pawtucket; Adam J. and his wife Mary of Cumberland; and one grandson, Ethan J.
Joe proudly served in the US Army Reserve Medical Service Corps as a Second Lieutenant.
Joe started working at a young age with his brothers as part of his father's painting business. He attended St. Raphael's Academy in Providence and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Providence College. He then received his Master's in Education from Rhode Island College.
Known as "Mr. J.", Joe taught in Providence for 50 years and was known for his sense of humor. He first started as a general science teacher at Nathan Bishop Middle School beginning in 1960, and then taught physics and chemistry at Mount Pleasant High School, where he also served as the science department chair. He finished his career at LaSalle Academy, where he retired in 2010. It is estimated he touched the lives of more than 5,000 students.
Joe was the Vice President of Senior High Schools for the Providence Teachers Union, and the past president of the Providence Teachers Retirees chapter. He was also a member of the Rhode Island and National Science Teachers Associations, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the National Catholic Education Association.
He was an avid hockey fan and longtime supporter of the Providence Reds, Providence Bruins, and New York Rangers. He also played in the Pawtucket Old Timers league and coached youth hockey. When not watching hockey, you could find him parked on a beach soaking up the sun. His favorite vacation spot was Cape Cod.
In the last few years, Joe was active with the Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's exercise program and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Walk.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 17, 2023 at 10:00 am in Saint Jude Church, 301 Front Street, Lincoln. Burial with military honors will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call Thursday from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the APDA Rhode Island Chapter, PO Box 114098, North Providence, RI 02911 (https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/rhode-island/). For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.
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