Joseph R. Suffoletta of Chesterton passed away on November 10, 2021 after a long and happy life of over 96 years. He was born on March 19, 1925 in Toronto, Ohio, the son of the late Domenica (Bonitatibus) and James Suffoletta both of whom were born in Pettorano sul Gizio, Italy. He served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army 15th Air Corps in World War II as a B-24 navigator and flew 30 missions over targets in Central Europe out of Foggia Air Base in Italy. He graduated from Ohio University in 1949 with a B.S. degree in electrical engineering and had a long career in the steel industry including over 25 years at Midwest Steel in Portage where he retired as General Manager Engineering and Construction.
Following his retirement in 1985, Joe enjoyed spending time with family, friends and neighbors, working in the yard and being the neighborhood handy man. He played golf for many years in the 76ers League at Michigan City Municipal and, although he regularly referred to his game as “lousy,” he did have one career hole in one. He was a parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church for over 60 years and served on the building committee for the most recent school expansion and was also an usher.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Margaret, and by his brother Anthony (Eleanor) Suffoletta and sisters Margaret (James) Rauch and Ida (Chuck) Paulkonis. He is survived by his daughter, Susan (John) Urh of Gurnee, Illinois, his sons J. Robert (Leslie) Suffoletta of Austin, Texas and Daniel (Kim) Suffoletta of Cincinnati, Ohio and his sister in law Rosemary (Tony) Giampolo of Mingo Junction, Ohio. He leaves behind eight beloved grandchildren; Joseph Urh of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Nicholas Urh of Columbus, Ohio, Andrew Urh of Chicago, Illinois, James Suffoletta of Verona, Wisconsin, Thomas Suffoletta of Austin, Texas, Kyle Suffoletta and Megan Suffoletta of Cincinnati, Ohio and Drew Suffoletta of Gulfport, Mississippi; and numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. He was fortunate to be able to live in his own home until recently thanks to Marisa Day who coordinated his caregiving.
The family will receive friends at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, November 18 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Rd., Chesterton, Indiana followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. with Father Terry Bennis and Father Jon Plavcan officiating. Internment will then follow at Chesterton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Patrick Church or School.
Professional arrangements are entrusted to White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton, IN. Please share your wonderful memories with the family at: www.whitelovefuneralhome.com.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Joseph R. Suffoletta, please visit our floral store.