Joseph J. Virzi, age 93, peacefully entered eternal rest on October 2, 2026, at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, with his loving family by his side. He was the devoted husband for sixty-three years to the late June M. (Persico) Virzi.
Joe was born at home in Ansonia on May 10, 1933, son of the late Giuseppe and Francesca (Giordano) Virzi. A lifelong resident of Ansonia, Joe was the proud proprietor of Virzi’s Package Store in Ansonia for fifty-five years, until his retirement in 2011. A proud veteran, he honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Joe was a true “family man” and good friend, who truly embraced life. He enjoyed holidays, family picnics, socializing with his friends, and was the first to always lend a helping hand. A devout communicant of Holy Rosary Church, he was a member of the Catholic Men’s Club, Bocce League, Knights of Columbus Council 10537, and volunteer at the annual Italian Festa.
He leaves to cherish his memory, daughters, Laura House (David) of Newark, DE, Mary Lou Victor of Shelton, Kathleen Farrelly (Thomas) of North Haven, Margaret Stickles (Jeffrey) of Coventry, CT and Donna Sennott (Jack) of Simsbury, grandchildren, Nicholas House, Christa Clark (Dan), Alicia Molinari (Andrew), Thomas Victor (Grace), Andrea Victor, Robert Farrelly, Valerie Podolski (James), Olivia Dolan (Pat), Joseph Stickles (Meg), Julia Stickles, Cameron Stickles, Ava Stickles, Katherine, Rachel, Brian, Anna, and Lizzie Sennott, great-grandchildren, Nathan and Daniel Victor, Noah and Lindsay Podolski, Benjamin and Jacob Molinari and Amelia Dolan, along with several nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews, especially, Ashley Curtis. He was predeceased by brothers, Frank and John Virzi, a sister Anna Curtis, brother-in-law, John Curtis, and sister-in-law, Lola Virzi.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family and pay respects on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the chapel of SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. On Thursday, his funeral will begin at 9:15 am from the funeral home and proceed to Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. Interment with U.S. Army military honors will follow in Mt. St. Peter’s Cemetery in Derby. Contributions in Joseph’s memory can be made to the “Food for the Soul” program at Holy Rosary Church. Please make checks payable to Our Lady of the Valley Parish and please write “Food for the Soul” in the memo line. To sign Joe’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.