Perico Island, Fla. —
Joe formerly resided in Conn., Vt. and N.J. and moved to Florida in 1999. While living in New Britain, Conn., he was a State Representative in the Conn. General Assembly for three terms (1969-1975), serving as a Member of the Banking, Finance, State & Urban Development & the Transportation Committees and Chairman of the Aeronautics Committee. He was the past President of the New Britain Press Club while employed as a Manager at the ‘New Britain Herald’, President of NB Ski Club, President of the Independent Slow Pitch League, Secretary of the NB Young Democratic Club, former member of the NB Democratic Town Committee and the Charter Revision Committee. Joe was the NB Committee Chairman for the late Conn. Probate Judge John T. Downey’s U.S. Senate Campaign & Campaign Manager for former NB Mayor William J. McNamara’s two re-elections. Joe was Chairman of the NB, Conn. Fire Board & Member of the NB Board of Police Commissioners. He was a Conn. & Vt. Real-Estate Broker and a licensed Stockbroker in Conn. & N.Y.
In 1983, Joe left Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Hartford and moved to Brownsville, Vt. to help develop a local Ski Area & served as EX. VP & General Manager at Ascutney Mountain Resort for many years. During the three month filming of the movie, ‘Funny Farm’ starring Chevy Chase, ‘AMR’ served as a host hotel for the (90) member Warner Bros cast and crew. The hotel’s selection was one of the highlights of his tenure there.
Joe was the Founder & Chairman of the Conn. River Valley Tourism Council, served on the Boards of the Vermont Lodging & Restaurant Association, Mt. Ascutney Hospital, Windsor Chamber of Commerce and a Member National Ski Areas Association. In 1986, former Vt. Gov. Madeline Kunin appointed him to her Advisory Council. Joe joined PaineWebber/UBS NYC in 1991 as National Marketing Manager for Correspondent Services Corp., traveling the four corners of the country until retiring in 2003. He attended CCSC (now CCSU) in Conn. & served in the U.S. Army.
One of Joe’s happiest moments was meeting Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1983, which was made possible due to the personal efforts of the late Monsignor John P. Wodarski, of Holy Cross Church in New Britain, Conn. where he was a long time parishioner.
Joe was blessed with an easy-going personality, boundless energy & a ‘Zest for Life!’. His positive attitude, strength of character and ‘can do’ spirit were admirable and inspiring. Joe was a ‘People Person’, a true listener and a kind, loyal friend who made people happy in his presence. Whether playing gin rummy with his best friend, Joe Grano, cheering for the ‘Red Sox’, ‘New York Giants’ or ‘UCONN’ Huskies, fishing in Martha’s Vineyard, a 35 year tradition with the Dominic Colossale Family, watching the sunset on ‘Anna Maria Island’ or on St. Andrews Drive overlooking Napa Valley while sipping a glass of Cabernet & listening to Pavarotti, globetrotting with his teammate, soul mate & cherished wife, Gayle – this gentle, honorable man lived a wonderful, adventurous life and derived Joy from each new day.
Joe’s unique ability to make people smile & feel special, his civic-mindedness and good, generous heart made our corner of the world a better place. As his proud wife, I was honored & fortunate to have shared this journey with ‘Mr. Wonderful’, ‘Mr. Sunshine’ – a ‘Gem’ of a Husband & Beloved Friend. Joe was admired, also for the ‘Heroic Bravery’ he displayed facing the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease.
Joe leaves behind his best friend of 45 years, mentor & chosen brother, Joseph J. Grano, Jr. of New Vernon, N.J. ‘Heartfelt Thanks & Gratitude, Brother Joe for your treasured friendship, love, support & the opportunities you made possible’. Siblings: Theodosia and Henry and the late Helen, Thaddeus and Sophie. Numerous nephews, including the Helmecki Brothers. Joe was a Proud Godfather to Joseph C. Grano, E. Spencer McCoy & Robert J. Colossale.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209 handled private arrangements. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford, Conn.
Memorial Donations may be made to a Donor of your choice or to Holy Cross Church, 31 Biruta Street, New Britain, CT 06053, the Church of his marriage. ‘Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the happiness your friendship brought. Joe was grateful’. Condolences to: www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.