Joseph Almonte

Joseph A. Almonte, 82

Worcester - Joseph A. Almonte of South Dennis, MA died peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at home while surrounded by his loving children sharing stories of growing up with him. He was 82.

Joseph Angelo Almonte was born October 27, 1932 in Worcester, the youngest son of eight children brought into this world by Italian immigrants Angelo and Rosario (Zannotti) Almonte on Merrifield Street. Joe joins his siblings, Orlando, Pasquale, and Albert in heaven. He is survived by his siblings, John Almonte and his wife, Grace of Jefferson, Beatrice Wilzcynski of Millbury, Julia Natola of Cheshire, CT, and Rita Turo of Shrewsbury, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joe is predeceased by his former wife, Shirley A. (Liberty) Almonte and mother of their four children, Cheryl A. Vozzella and her husband Joseph in Barnstable, Steven J. Almonte and his companion Melleney Montello in Buzzards Bay, Sandra A. Almonte and her companion Paul LaVagueur in Revere, and David J. Almonte and his wife, Kim in Marstons Mills. "Papa" was also the patriarch of seven grandchildren, Nicholas and Alexander Vozzella, Jonathan Almonte, Leah and Dylan Cavaliere, and Tyler and Michael Almonte.

Joe was also blessed with 35 years of love and companionship to Inga Dodge of Melrose, with whom he shared his love for her family in the North Shore. They traveled extensively, frequented the North End of Boston and have agreed to meet again at the Hanweiler in Germany through heaven.

Raised and educated in Worcester, Joe moved his family to Cape Cod where he settled in South Dennis in the mid 1960's. Patti Page's famous song, 'Old Cape Cod' was his all-time favorite and asked for it to be played over and over while referring to the Cape as "God's Country". A skilled carpenter, he worked for over 35 years in the Carpenters Local Union #40 retiring at age 58 and maintained a lifetime membership of more than 50 years in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He single-handedly built his family's four-bedroom home in South Dennis when he came home from work.

Joe loved his family above all else, but was also a talented young ballplayer/catcher, enjoyed Boston sports, especially the Red Sox but only when they were winning, competing on the golf course with his sons at Dennis Pines, achieving a hole-in-one at Blue Rock, spending time at his condo in Naples, Florida in the 1990's with his brother Abe, and true to his Italian heritage, cooking and eating with his family. Joe had an uncanny knack for bringing a smile to all those he touched with his warm sarcastic sense of humor. He led a disciplined life with a strong work ethic and attended church regularly. His legacy and love live on in his family.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joseph's life by gathering for calling hours at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center on Sunday, January 11th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and again on Monday morning where his Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester.

To view Joe's online tribute, share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.healdchiampa.com