Joseph DeFalco, 96, passed away after a short illness on Aug 31, 2020 at the Advent Hospital, Ocala, Fl. He was a kind and gentle soul who only saw the good in everyone. He was born in Pomigliano, Italy in 1924. He grew up during WWII, Mussolini's dictatorship and the Allied bombing of Italy. He was ordained a priest in 1947 and he left Italy for an assignment to St. Ann Church in Ossining, NY in 1949. When he saw a need, he answered it. While assigned there, he spent time in Puerto Rico and Mexico in order to learn the language and culture of the Hispanic parishioners. He left the ministry to teach languages at NY State University and complete his doctorate in linguistics. He was predeceased by his wife, Olga, on March 2015. He dedicated his retirement years to doing charitable work, continuing to study theology and research, participating in an interfaith Bible study and working with the prison ministry. He is survived by his daughters Teana and Nora, their husbands Jeff and Robert, 2 grandsons and 3 great-grandchildren, and 4 special nieces and their children. He lived a full and beautiful life, filled with love and God's blessings. A mass will be held at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida.
Tributes
Nora wrote on Dec 25, 2020:
"Dear Father,
Today is Christmas Day. I wanted to wait for a special day to write to you. I miss you so much. I miss our daily talks. But you are in Heaven, the place you spoke and dreamed of so often. My grief is overwhelming. However, I take comfort in knowing that you are safe and in Paradise. You are watching over us free of pain and sadness that this world is full of.
Words cannot describe how you have enriched my life. From the day you walked into it, you have taught me only love, peace and forgiveness. You filled the shoes of not only my father, but the father of my children. The word grateful cannot begin to describe how blessed I feel. I don't know what I did to deserve you but I will try to live by your words to show my appreciation. I am embracing and learning about Christ more than ever before. I know this will please you and enrich my time here on earth. I pray it will fill this void I am feeling. I hope I have made you proud of me as a daughter.
Thank you for everything you have done for this family.
I miss you Ol' Buddy Ol' Pal.
Love Always,
Nora"
Jonathan wrote on Oct 1, 2020:
"Poppy was one of the most genuine, caring, and giving people the world has ever known. While we will all miss him dearly, we will be reminded of him through our son\'s middle name, Joseph. He was named after Poppy and we will continue to remind Ethan what a wonderful namesake he has. We love you, Poppy. Tell Nana we miss her, too. Love, Jonathan, Leslie, Avery, Parker, and Ethan"
Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2020:
"Poppy,
Thank you for everything you did for our family. You were the most selfless person I?ve ever known, always willing to give and never asking for anything in return. Your positivity, kindness, and humility are values I will always remember you for. I miss you and Nana so very much. Give her a kiss for us and remember how much we love you both. Love always, Daniel "
Tammy S M wrote on Sep 24, 2020:
"Joseph was a very special person who always took time to share words of wisdom, encouragement and love. He will be greatly missed.
Joseph, you were one a God?s true angels.
Love always, your friend,
Tammy"
Tammy S M wrote on Sep 24, 2020:
"Joseph was a very special man who always took time to share words of wisdom, encouragement and love. He will be greatly missed.
Joseph, you were one of God?s true angels.
Love always, your friend,
Tammy S."
Anthony DeMarzo wrote on Sep 22, 2020:
"My family and I had some of best Christmas holidays spent at my Aunt and Uncles home on Long Island. I will always cherish these memories forever. RIP Uncle Joe ?"
Andrea & Ken wrote on Sep 22, 2020:
"What a blessing to have had this wonderful man as my Great Uncle.
As a child, one of my best memories is when he taught me how to say ?Mama, I love you very much? in Italian. He had to repeat it at least 100 times :) and was so patient. He was beaming as I said it to my Mom later.
Throughout my life, every note and card I ever received from him was so encouraging and full of love. And seeing him in his old age has been a special gift. Ken says that he is grateful he got the opportunity to know him better here in Florida.
We are all truly better people for having him in our lives.
May God rest his sweet soul.
Much Love, Andrea & Ken"
Tom and Gail Ryan wrote on Sep 22, 2020:
"Tom and Gail Ryan
Joseph DeFalco was a family friend for several years. In the time that we knew him we attended several Christmas parties at his daughter Nora\'s house. We enjoyed great conversations with he and his wife Olga. We also enjoyed visiting with him at Franklin Park. He was a kind and gentle man. We miss him very much."
Andreia & James Breaux wrote on Sep 21, 2020:
"Joseph DeFalco was a kind and brilliant man. He was a good man. Joseph and his wife Olga were not only my neighbors of 26 years, but had become my family. We truly loved them, and my children honored them. I have kept every card that Joseph has ever written me. His heartfelt words were always comforting, deep with meaning and with theological passion. I will miss him everyday of my life. Heaven has a new angel, and his name is Joseph DeFalco.
Love always,
Andreia, James, Timmy, Tai and Kameron"
Helene Blondell wrote on Sep 21, 2020:
"Pepino Joseph DeFalco, his dear wife, Olga and their daughters, Nora and Teana were not just neighbors to me and my family....but close friends. Oh the spring, summer and autumn evenings we would sit on their front porch.... telling stories...laughing....in such appreciation Of G-D....Nature and each other. Pepino was so much like me....consumed with the contemplation of G-D. While still loving Life to its fullest, here on Earth. I Know he and Olga...along with my own parents, Joan and Emile, are joining me daily in my ever continuing pursuit of prayer and bringing Heaven to Earth. Nora and Teana....thank you for sharing your parents with the rest of us in this world. It is a far, far better place for having had them here. Love??"
Phil De Falco wrote on Sep 21, 2020:
"My cousin Joe was an amazing man kind thoughtful and generous. He was a loving person and had a great sense of humor He was blessed to live a long and prosperous life.
I will never forget the conversations we had, sometimes they lasted hours, he touched my life in more ways than I would ever have imagined. I will miss having conversations with him, as for the ones we\'ve shared they will forever be in my heart and mind. I will not say goodbye because I know you will walk alongside of me for the rest of my days. Phil De Falco"
Andrea Vultaggio wrote on Sep 21, 2020:
"Dear Uncle Joe,
You were such a big part of my childhood. I loved sleeping over your house because you and Aunt Olga took such good care of me. I remember how you tried to cure my eczema by wrapping my fingers in plastic wrap and putting them under a light to warm my fingers up. You smiled and made jokes so I wouldn?t be scared. After not seeing you for many years we reconnected and you were my champion in my adult years, telling me I am doing an amazing job with Felicia, and that God has prepared me for this job since I was a little girl. He said the way I would get my shots every month with a smile on my face no matter the pain He knew this because he would take me sometimes and was amazed by my deposition. He told me he felt like crying. He believed god was getting me ready for my life with Felicia and no matter what, he said god will always be with me and has prepared you for the amazing job you?re doing.
I love you so much and I will always remember you Uncle Joe. My husband Sebastiano (Sal) only knew you for a short time, He enjoyed his conversation with Uncle Joe . When Sal was in a coma ,my uncle had a prayer chain going and Sal said he heard people praying. It made such an impact on his life. He said your uncle is a man devoted to God. Love Andrea DeFalco Vultaggio and Sebastiano Vultaggio.
"
Yvonne Pendleton wrote on Sep 21, 2020:
"Dr. Joseph DeFalco was one of the wisest, most thoughtful and kindest souls to ever set foot on this planet. He will live on in my heart and soul, and I will miss hearing his voice tremendously. His never-failing support and encouragement will continue to echo in my mind whenever I embark on a new challenge, and my love for him will never die. His supreme devotion to God, his family, and friends are like an eternal lighthouse that I can see even though I can no longer see his physical being. I know he knew of my love for him, but I want the world to know it as well. I adored you in life, \"Uncle Pepino\", and I will love you forever. Yvonne Pendleton"
Nancy and Amber wrote on Sep 21, 2020:
"Joseph is such a gentle soul. From the time Amber and I met Nora?s parents, always treated us like family. I remember when he spoke at my mother?s funeral 15 years ago, he was the best man for the job. Joseph always told everyone be kind to each other, he was always so active. He will be sorely missed, but we will meet one day in Heaven and celebrate. Love to you all. God bless!"
teresa p gaglio wrote on Sep 17, 2020:
"I will miss my dear uncle so much. So thankful for your wisdom and guidance over the years. You were kind, generous, patient and loving. My memories of you will live in my heart forever. Love, your niece Teresa "
Marlene Neiviller neice wrote on Sep 16, 2020:
"God saw you getting tired.And a cure was not to be;So he put his arms around you and whispered\"Come to me\".With tearful eyes we watched you,and saw you pass away.Although we loved you dearly,we could not make you stay.A gentle .gracious, genuine and good heart stopped beating.Hard working hands at rest.God broke our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best.Thank you Lord for my uncle who was Simply the best!!!! I am sure that in heaven he moved up quickly to the front of the line of Heavens gates because of his kindness ,caring ,and his beautiful loving heart.God bless you dear uncle,we love you!!!! Marlene Neiviller ??"
Gerald Gaenslen wrote on Sep 16, 2020:
"We loved Joseph and will miss him dearly. He was a wealth of knowledge on so many levels, he loved God and his Catholic faith. He was a wonderful example for the prisoners that he served. May he rest in peace.
Gerald Gaenslen "
Janese Starrett wrote on Sep 16, 2020:
"Nora, Teana and family, there are no words to take away the pain for the loss of Joseph.
I am blessed for having him in my life. He always treated me with more kindness and compassion than most ever experience in life. He was like family to me always.
I love you all.
Janese Starrett
"