Obituary of Joseph Speranza

Joseph Speranza, 79, of Amsterdam, passed away Monday afternoon at the Kingston Hospital with family at his side. Born in San Antonio, Do Monte, Brazil, on October 23, 1927, he was the son of Vito and Gaetana Martuscelli Speranza, he moved to Pisciotta, Italy at the age of twelve with his family. He learned the barber trade at an early age, a profession that lasted nearly seventy years. After moving to Amsterdam he established a barber shop on Hibbard Street, and since 1964, he became a local fixture on James Street. Joe also had a great love for music which he inherited from his own father. He played guitar, trumpet and other instruments. He was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus? Roman Catholic Church. Joe was married to the former Lucia Cutri. Survivors also include his sons; Staff Sgt. Vito Speranza, USMA and his wife Mary of New Windsor, NY, and Anthony ?Tony? Speranza and his wife Iliana of Broadalbin; sisters; Maria Desiderio of Eboli, Italy, Sofia Galderisi, Assunta Fedullo both of Salerno, Italy, and Vittoria D?Acunto of Pontecagnano, Italy; grandchildren; Joseph, Matthew, Michael, Luciano, Rita, Tanina, Alexa and Antonio as well as nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by his parents, a daughter Gaetana Tina Loffredo, a grandson, Gerardo Loffredo, and a brother, Gesu Speranza, whose wife Michela lives in Amsterdam as well. A Funeral Mass will be offered by Fr. Pascal A. Iannotti on Friday at 9:30 am at St. Stanislaus? Church . Relatives and friends are invited and may call from 4-7 pm Thursday at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue. Interment will follow in St. Michael?s Cemetery. Contributions may be made in his name to the St. Jude?s Children?s Research Hospital, in care of the funeral home office.