Joseph Ippolito "Joe" Guggino

GUGGINO, Joseph Ippolito "Joe" 97, passed away on Feb. 15, 2011. He will always be remembered as a beloved and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, nonno, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Mr. Guggino grew up in West Tampa and was the oldest of three siblings. He and lifelong childhood friend, the late Sam Fraterrigo, enlisted in the Army during WWII. Joe was a scout in the combat engineers unit and Sam was a medic. Both were wounded by grenades during the liberation of the Philippines and were awarded the Purple Heart as well as several good conduct medals. They got together every week for nearly 50 years to swap war stories and reminisce over Cuban coffee at the Fourth of July Café. Mr. Guggino's career was in the grocery business and he owned "Joe's Grocery" in Belmont Heights, where he worked six days a week, sun up to sun down, to provide for his family. Later in life, he delivered "Meals on Wheels" for Hillsborough County. Joe Guggino enjoyed watching boxing, talking politics, playing with Scoot (a Jack Russell terrier he and wife, Mary, had for 13 years) and spending time with loved ones. Survivors include wife, Mary; daughters, Sandra Guggino, Cathy Clifton and husband, Rick, and Angela Guggino; grandchildren, Joseph and Andrea Clifton; sister, Angie Rebowe (Baton Rouge, LA); and other extended family members. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 68 pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home Terrace Oaks Chapel, 12690 N 56th St. Tampa, FL 33617. The family requests donations be made to LifePath Hospice and Palliative Care, 12973 Telecom Parkway Temple Terrace, FL 33637, in lieu of flowers. The Gugginos/Cliftons would also like to take this opportunity to thank Hospice's Gold Team, the staff at Fletcher Health & Rehabilitation Center, Laura Williams and Matt Folder of AGS Health Care Specialists, Nancy Everidge Congellio with St. Jude Medical, Shirley Hopper, and Sean Dimas. "All of you truly made a difference, and we are grateful for your uncompromising care, compassion, patience and support."