"Additional Tribute Link: http://youtu.be/wzqvYREItrU"
In loving memory of
Joseph Nucci
December 23, 1946 - August 24, 2012
Name: Joseph Nucci, Sr.
Life Dates: 12/23/1946 - 8/24/2012
City Of Birth: Rochester, NY
History
Peacefully, surrounded by his family. Survived by his devoted wife, Linda Nucci; children, Daneane (Jason Hoorn) Nucci, Joseph Jr. (Katie Lester) Nucci and Nicholas (Suzanne) Nucci; brother, Nicholas (Terry) Nucci; sister, Darlene (Doug) Graham; grandchildren, Johnathan Nucci, Kayci Nucci, Jagger Nucci, Alyssa Nucci, Gianna Nucci, Sophia Nucci, Joseph Nucci and Zoey Nucci.
Services
Joseph's visitation will be Tuesday 1-3 6-9 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (between Rte 390 Long Pond Rd.) His Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 9:30 AM at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park. Inurnment Private.
Additional Information
Joe was born to Nick and Jean Nucci in Rochester, NY on December 23, 1946.
He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1964 and married his high school sweetheart Linda in 1967.
They stayed happily married for 45 years and raised 3 children and had 8 grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Joe was an extraordinary manager in the game of softball and instrumental in the success of the sport in the Rochester area. In 1977, Joe brought Mazzola Castle to the USSSA World Series and won, making him the only manager to bring a Men's World Series Championship trophy to Rochester. He managed the first professional softball team in the area, the Rochester Zeniths, and had more than 600 victories in big tournaments. Throughout his career he was a fierce competitor and was widely respected by his opponents and players. The New York State USSSA Hall of Fame has granted the "Joe Nucci Dedication to Excellence Award" in his honor every year since 2005.
In 1987, Joe was inducted into the USSSA National Hall of Fame in the Manager category, a culmination of his stellar career.
Joe loved people and people loved Joe. The life of the party, he had a contagious laugh, a quick wit and a big heart. Joe was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants. He will be deeply missed by family and friends, but his legacy will live forever.
Tributes
"Laurie A Vivian-Carson I remember always walking in to Tuts after our softball games and seeing Joe and Andy sitting at the bar. I'd walk over give kisses and he would ask how we did. He definetly was a legend of the game of softball. His memory will definetly live on forever. Safely Home I am home in Heaven dear ones: Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last. Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; try to look beyond earth shadows, Pray to trust our Father's will There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand: do it now, while life remaineth you shall rest in Jesus' land When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; oh the rapture of that meeting, oh the joy to see you come!"
"Stephen M Olney Relation to Deceased: Extended family After a brief lecture regarding swing speed in anticipation for the "big" hit, I hit my first two USSSA home runs back to back with this advice.. Mr. Nucci was like a father to me and many ways, and these traits will carry in my family for generations to come, so thank you Mr. Nucci for being a positive influence in my life.. You will live on forever in ways you never knew... The butterfly emerges from its silken shell- Reborn, it arises, no longer bound to earth. Free at last, the butterfly glides to heights unknown before. So do our loved ones find a beautiful release as, earthbound no more, they leave our sight and joyfully rise to a garden of matchless beauty, a place of light and peace. -Evelyn Phillips"
"Lisa Nucci Relation to Deceased: Cousin Although we were very far apart in age for Ist cousins, my fondest memory and perhaps the reason for MY love of playing the game of softball was watching my cousin's team play. My dad, Joe S. Nucci, Jr., brought me to these games and I watched the guys compete fiercly. I learned the basics of the game at a very young age which translated to having excellent instincts when I played as an adult. I've never stopped loving the game and I'm sure Joe wouldn't have either. God bless all his family."
"Peter J Borrelli, Jr. Relation to Deceased: Friend Business travel will prevent me from attending Joe's visitation tomorrow, but I wanted to express heartfelt condolences to the entire family, and especially to Linda and my dear friend, Nick. I'll never forget all of us going to Amerks' games during the glory years in the 60's, our devotion to the NY Giants, and just all the fun we had in general growing up on the Westside. Of course, Joe did us all proud by putting Rochester on the map as a Softball power and becoming a legend of the sport. Please know that my thoughts and prayerse with you over these next few days."