Joseph Louis Soprano

Joseph Louis Soprano, Sr., “Joe”, 88, of Tega Cay, SC and formerly of New Rochelle and Brewster, NY, passed away peacefully at home. Joe was born July 7, 1937 in Yonkers, NY, son of the late Pasquale and Esther Soprano. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Lois.

Extremely outgoing, Joe enjoyed life. He enjoyed sailing his pontoon boat on Lake Wylie, playing golf, tennis and pickleball and socializing with neighbors and friends. Joe was a Physical Education Teacher and Track and Field Coach at New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, NY. As a parishioner at St. Philip Neri, he contributed his time as an usher, greeter and making pasta sauce in the kitchen for the Italian Festival.

A graduate of Manhattan College, Joe’s achievements have been many. However, to name a few, he was inducted into the New Rochelle Sports Hall of Fame, the National Athlete and Coaches Hall of Fame, NY Section 1 Coaches Association Lacey Award, NY State Assembly Accomplished Sportsman Citation, Meritorious Service Award from Westchester County, NY Soccer Officials Association for officiating, former Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball Coach. Joe also previously served on the Tega Cay Golf Advisory Committee.

Most important to him was his family and he will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Joe leaves a lasting legacy to be cherished by his survivors, his wife of 38 years, Valerie LoRe Soprano, brother Pat of Fort Mill, SC, mother-in-law Camille LoRe of Daytona Beach Shores, FL, son Joseph Jr., (Tina) of Queensbury, NY, grandsons Corey (Ashley) and Anthony both of Queensbury, NY. Joe has two great grandsons, Lucas and Ben, of Queensbury, brother-in-laws Jack LoRe (Linda) of Pearl River, NY and Gregory LoRe (Dari) of St. Simon Island, GA. Nephews Frank Nalevaiko (Rosa) of Queens, NY, Michael Nalevaiko (Theresa) of Charlotte, NC, Christopher (Linda) of Brooklyn, NY, Nicholas of NYC, NY; and nieces Donna Wittemann (Tom) of Baldwin Harbor, NY, Tanya LoRe Griffin (Dave) of Sussex, NJ, Kristi LoRe of Vernon, NJ, Danielle (James) of Ridgewood, NJ; great nieces Victoria, Lauren, Whitney, Ainsley; great nephew Jake; great great niece Brook and great great nephews Brooks and Casey. Joe’s track runners were his chosen family and he was a father figure to so many of them.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Fort Mill, SC, on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 11:30.

Valerie would like to extend her sincere appreciation to the Tega Cay Police Dept., Rescue Squad, Joe’s physicians and their staff, her supportive family and friends for their compassion and care. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation, Tega Cay Police Department or a meaningful organization of your choice.