Joseph P. Cirelli

Herkimer - Mr. Joseph P. Cirelli, 81, of 411 Church St. passed away Sunday, September 25, 2011 at home with his loving family by his side. Joe was born in Frankfort on March 19, 1930, the son of the late Anthony and Mary Norod Cirelli and he attended Herkimer schools. He served with the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict with the 655th AC&W squadron and was honorably discharged on November 30, 1953. He later attended MVCC for Graphic Arts, Illustration and Photography. He was married to Joan Audrey Hough on March 6, 1969 in Herkimer. Mrs. Cirelli passed away on November 9, 2002. Mr. Cirelli was at one time employed by Kodak, MDS, Grumman Aeronautics, NASA and lastly for Griffiss Air Force Base. He was a devout catholic and a communicant of Sts. Anthony and Joseph's Church, Herkimer and was a member of its Glee Club. At one time, Joe and his wife owned an antique business. He also was an attendant at the Iocovozzi Funeral Homes, was a volunteer at the food pantry, was a member of the Knights of Columbus, T.R. George and the Polish Club. Joe is survived by two daughters, Kathleen J. Collins Phaneuf of Poughkeepsie and Beth Ann Collins of Herkimer; four sisters and one brother in law, Pauline Cesarini of Frankfort, Frances Matthews of Frankfort, Dolores and Mario Restante of Little Falls and Gloria Mac Comber of Schuyler; three brothers and sisters in law, Peter and Eleanor Cirelli of Herkimer, Anthony and Betsy Cirelli of Herkimer and Nicholas and Dorothy Cirelli of Seattle, WA; his sister in law, Deborah Reed of Dalton, MA; his beloved grandchildren, Eliza Lynn and her husband, Brian Hall, Rachael and her husband, Paul Lee and Robert Edward Johnson III; his great-grandchildren, Brogan, Joseph, Paul, Audrey Rae, Abigail and Lexis; his nieces and nephews, Peter and Tina Cirelli, Brian and Tina Cirelli, Anthony and Tina Cirelli, Joanne and Danny Courto, Marietta and Gary Trant, Larry Cesarini, Kevin Cesarini, Paul and Janet Restante, Sherry and Scott Kreuitzer, Vincent Cirelli and his companion, April, Joseph Cirelli, Kevin Hilsinger, Clarissa Mac Comber, Holly Mac Comber, Trevor Mac Comber, Bianca Cirelli and Anthony Cirelli and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his great grandson, Andrew Andrioli on October 18, 2002 and his niece, Andrea Hilsinger on January 27, 2011. His funeral will be held Thursday morning at 9:00 from the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home, 329 S. Washington St., Herkimer and at 9:30 in Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Vail. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4-8 at the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home. In Lieu of flowers, Joe has asked for mass intentions for he and his wife. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Joe's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com