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JOSEPH ARMAO Obituary
Joseph J. Armao
Feb 6, 1948 - Sep 30, 2012
Joseph J. Armao III, 18-year resident of Paradise Cay, CA, passed away on September 30, 2012, surrounded by loved ones after a heroic battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife Linda, his son Joseph J. Armao IV, his father Dr. Joseph J. Armao II of Springfield, PA, and his siblings Cherie, Frank, Gene, Diane and Chris. He is predeceased by his mother Gloria Hayes Armao.
Born in Philadelphia, PA in 1948, Joe grew up as the eldest boy in a close-knit Italian family. He attended Monsignor Bonner High School and was quarterback of the football team. He went on to start at offensive guard for the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1970. It is confirmed that Joe once wrestled a grizzly bear at a county fair, and while the bear won round one, it did not come back for more.
While at Penn, Joe traveled west during the Summer of Love, following his passions for nature, music, surfing, and all things Californian. During the summer of '68, Joe met Linda while lifeguarding on the beaches of Stone Harbor, NJ. They have been happily married for 41 years. Linda currently teaches Italian at The Branson School in Ross, CA. Their only son, Joey, graduated from Harvard and currently works for The Blackstone Group in New York, NY.
In his professional life, Joe was an attorney who practiced environmental law for more than three decades. Joe received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Dickinson School of Law in 1975 and began his career with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, holding the position of Chief Superfund and Hazardous Waste Enforcement for Region III (Philadelphia). He once again ventured west to study geology at California State University, Los Angeles, before returning to the EPA as Assistant Regional Counsel for Region IX (San Francisco). In 1987, Joe joined the San Francisco-based firm Heller Ehrman, where he held the positions of Environmental Litigation Partner and Chair of the Environmental Department for many years. His experience ranged from regulatory compliance to environmental litigation and trials in significant cases. Joe concluded his career as a partner at Winston & Strawn, retiring at age 63 and enjoying trips to Alaska, Mexico, and of course every corner of California in his newfound free time.
Joe was a lawyer by trade but at heart a philosopher, adventurer, and the best Dad there ever was. He entertained us with his riotous humor, and inspired us with his loyalty, honesty, and insatiable intellectual curiosity. He was a fighter to the end, and we will never forget the spirit and dignity he displayed along the way. Joe leaves his friends and family full of loving memories.
To celebrate Joe's life, a service will be held on Sunday, October 21st at 2pm in the chapel at St. Ignatius College Preparatory, 2001 37th Avenue, San Francisco, CA. In lieu of sending flowers, donations to St. Ignatius College Preparatory are welcome in Joseph J. Armao's name. Please visit www.siprep.org/giving and select 'Memorial Gift', or call (415) 731-7500 ext 446.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH ARMAO
Sponsored by anonymous.
Michele Kearney
May 2, 2025
Always in your heart. Always in my and Michael's memories of Joe.
God Bless
Linda Armao
May 1, 2025
Joey and I think of Joe each and every day and take great solace in the memories we share. So many friends still reach out to tell us what a one-off Joe was in so many spheres, what a loyal friend he was, what a towering intellect he had, while never failing to mention his riotous humor. He was a larger than life guy and will always remain a huge presence in our lives.
Linda
Robert L Bagosy
March 5, 2024
I met Joe at Grade School at Holy Cross, Springfield Delco, PA we hung out, and played CYO Football, played Football together at Bonner High School.l class of 66, after which he went to Penn, and I went to the Marine Corps, and then Temple University in Philly. What I still remember about Joe is that He was the smartest person I ever met both Academically, and Street smart, we taught Catholic High School together at St Thomas More, Philly and Coached the Football Team 1970, Joe was from the upper crust but we respected each other. Joe was in my Wedding 1969, I was supposed to be in His/ Linda Wedding but my wife lost a baby and we could not attend. Joe is someone who I will say his name, and never forget him! Bags West Brook Park now living in Newark, DE!
October 19, 2012
Linda, I was deeply saddened to hear about Joe's passing. He was such a wonderful, sweet and funny man. I worked for him at Heller Ehrman for a while and he was the type of attorney who never, and I mean never, made me feel any less of a person just because I was the secretary and he was the "boss." Just a class act all the way around. I will keep you and Joey in my prayers. Know that after my losing two siblings this year three months apart, I know grief. So, know that I know how much your heart is hurting, but keep the faith. You are one of the lucky ones. You now have a guardian angel, forever.
Tom Donnelly
October 16, 2012
Linda and Joey, I am so sad to hear this horrible news. Joe was my mentor. He was the first partner I worked with when I started at Heller Ehrman in 1988. We worked on dozens of matters together. I learned so much from him as a lawyer and as a father.
He loved both of you so much. Joey, in the hundreds of lunches we had together, I estimate that your dad spent at least half the time talking about you, how proud he was of you -- not just for your accomplishments, but more importantly for the kind and caring person you had become -- and how he wished he was more like you. Linda, Joe would always say that he felt he was the luckiest man alive finding you and having you as his wife. I'm going to really miss him.
Tom Donnelly
October 15, 2012
Joe and Lynne,I am so sorry to hear of your loss .
Stephen Coyle
The Lerner's
October 15, 2012
Linda and Joey
We did not know Joe well, as we are the extended Westport,CT family , we laughed at family happy occasions. Hold on to the smiles,the adventures and all the love you shared.
Sending you both strength through hugs.
Deb, Ed & BJ Lerner
October 12, 2012
My condolences to the entire Armao Family. Played ball with Joe ande was attended to by his Dad, Dr. Joe. Bill Hutton, MBHS 1967
October 12, 2012
The people of Holy Cross Parish from Joe's youth were sorry to learn of his passing. our sympathy to Dr. Armao and all his family on his passing.
Rest in Heavenly Peace.
Brian Speers
October 12, 2012
To the Armao family,
Joe and I played football in high school and graduated together from Bonner in 1966. I've gone to Bonner reunions in the past specifically hoping that Joe would show but we never crossed paths other than a chance meeting when he was playing ball at Penn.
Since my past with Joe is relegated to high school I can only tell you that as a teammate he was tough as nails; fearless actually, never backing down to anyone even though he was much smaller in high school than he eventually grew to be at Penn.
His intellectual sense of humor was unmatched for an 18 year old and he could have just as easily become a stand-up comic; he was that funny!
My sympathies go out to all of you and to Joe, Sr. especially, who was our team doctor in high school. Please pass along my thoughts to him.
Wally Evans
October 11, 2012
Dear Linda, My condolences to you and your family. Joe was one of my pledge brothers at the Omega Chapter of Delta Tau Delta at Penn. I'll always remember the laughter which Joe had the habit of causing. I'll pass on this sad news to the others.
Phil Priore
October 11, 2012
Linda and young Joe:
I still cannot believe it, and I cannot tell you how sorry I am that Joe passed away. I still remember having dinner at your house in Tiburon when young Joe was a senior in HS. I will always remember Joe as the riotous, larger-than-life person that I got to know in Philadelphia. We shared many, many laughs, especially over SC TV. I will forever remember Joe's going away party in Philly, when we had way too many Prairie Fires (until Linda showed up to take Joe home to pack), and your move to California was delayed while Joe recovered.
Too many stories to tell, but I guess that is what made Joe so much fun. There was always something crazy or ridiculous that happened when Joe was around.
Please remember all the good times and good things going forward, and please accept my and Kris' deepest condolences.
All the best,
Phil Priore
October 11, 2012
Linda,
Our deepest sympathies. Joe was a brilliant addition in any setting and a great friend both at EPA and in his personal life. Our best to you and Joey.
Neil and Merrie Wise
Haddonfield, NJ
Andrea Branca Remolde
October 10, 2012
Holy Cross Alumna '65
October 10, 2012
Linda - I was shocked and saddened by the news of Joe's passing. My heart goes out to you and Joey - Joe was a great guy, wonderful father, and good friend. You and Joey are in my and Michael's thoughts and prayers.
Love, Michele Kearney
Ann Grimaldi
October 9, 2012
Dear Linda and Joey, I am so sorry for your loss. Joe is an amazing guy and I will really miss him. I loved all his stories -- God, he made me laugh.
He was my mentor and my friend. He taught me the law and how to be a good lawyer. But more important, he shared with me key lessons about human nature and about life, subjects which he had an uncanny ability to be right about, pretty much 100 percent of the time. (He knew it, too, and wasn't too quiet about it.) Since I left Heller Ehrman, I think about him all the time: just about everything good that I do as a lawyer has its roots in lessons he taught me, and I appreciate that every day. And the things he shared about family and life, I bring to my own life and family.
I'm so sad that he's gone, but I'm so glad that I knew him.
Matt Hammond
October 8, 2012
Joe was a great guy - best wishes to Joey and Linda - you're in our thoughts.
Liz Brotherton
October 8, 2012
Linda, we are so deeply saddened by Joe's passing. We have lost too many family members over recent years and he will be missed. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim and Liz (O'Leary) Brotherton
Dan Titelbaum
October 8, 2012
Linda, I'm SO SO sorry.
I'm sure it'll be said a hundred ways by a hundred others. But, doubtless adding to the chorus, let me say:
What an extraordinary joy Joe was . . . smart, funny, irreverent, thrilled to be his son's father, as well as your husband, genuinely interested in and knowledgeable about lots and lots of diverse subjects, pretending to be a tough guy even as he was a sweetheart.
If the measure of a life is how much joy, per year lived, one conferred on others, as well as extracted for himself including because he conferred joy on others, Joe belongs in the Hall of Fame.
One among many moments I'll always remember: Some years ago, headed with my kids for an East Coast trip that would include Philadelphia, I asked Joe to recommend a best place to go for a cheese steak. Predictably my question launched Joe . . . hysterical tales, some probably even somewhat true, about his growing up in Phillie. According to him, the biggest issue for me was: Would it be affirmatively smart or affirmatively dangerous for me to mention Joe's name at Philly Cheesesteak Place A versus Philly Cheesesteak Place B, etc. I was crying tears of laughter before he finished giving me his cheese steak advice.
A big, big hug, Linda. Also a big big tear.
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