Joseph Viterisi, Sr., 92, of Paducah, died Monday, January 1, 2018 at Baptist Health Paducah.
Joe was born in Herrin, IL on September 5, 1925 to Peter and Domenica Canale Viterisi. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a degree in business administration. Joe served in the United States Navy and was a member of American Legion Post 31, Veterans of Foreign War and Disabled American Veterans. After his move to Paducah, he was general manager of Farmers Market and manager for Wilson’s Chevrolet. For eighteen years he owned and operated Joe’s Market. Joe served two terms as city commissioner and was elected mayor of Paducah in 1984. He was a longtime member of St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. A life member of Southside Kiwanis Club, Joe served as past president and treasurer and received the Ted Osborn Fellow and Hixson Fellow awards. In addition, he was an honorary board member for Habitat for Humanity, Fleet Reserve, Elks, National Association of Atomic Veterans and Sanders Retirement Center. Joe received the Kentucky Colonel and Duke of Paducah awards.
Surviving are his children, Julia Viterisi Hannan (David) of El Paso, TX, Joseph Viterisi, Jr. of Paducah, Jeannie Marie Snodgrass (Steve) of Bowling Green, KY and Jane Ellen Viterisi of Paducah; step-daughter, Madonna Baker of Paducah; grandchildren, Joel Christopher Hannan, John Patrick Hannan, Jessica Snodgrass and Whitney Eakles; great-grandchildren, Ava Belle Eakles and Eva Lynn Eakles; nieces, Mary Lynn Langston, Susan Tanner, Arlene Jenks, Ester VanDyke, and Diane Jones; nephews, John Viterisi and Paul Viterisi; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Bornefeld.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Kathleen Bailey Viterisi; sister, Anna Viterisi Hindman; brother, Domenick Viterisi; nephew, Peter Viterisi; the mother of his children, Joan Schneidman Viterisi; and his parents.
A funeral mass will be held at 12pm on Friday, January 5, 2018 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with Rev. Bruce McCarty officiating. Graveside services with military rites will be held at 3:30pm on Friday at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin, IL.
Visitation will be held Thursday evening from 5-8pm at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
Contributions may be made to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 116 South 6th Street, Paducah, KY 42001.
You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.milnerandorr.com.
