Joseph Robert Cardella (“Joe”), age 90, of Ansonia, CT, the beloved husband of the late Rose Thacker Cardella, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2017, surrounded by his loving family, at his home in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Mr. Cardella was born on April 29, 1927, to the late Lorenzo and Rosalia (Buccierri) Cardella. Joe is survived by four children, Lawrence, Joseph Jr., Robert and Margaret Wheeler (Kevin Ryan). Papa Joe is also survived by four grandchildren, Joseph Robert Cardella (III), Arthur Joseph Cardella, Diana Cardella (Corey Greco) and Carla Wheeler (Jack Wolfenden) and two great grandchildren, Sierra Rose Wolfenden and Taya Rose Cardella. He is also survived by his sister, Margery Nicoletti and brother, Angelo Cardella.
Joe graduated from Pine High School in Ansonia and later proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II where he also enjoyed his time as an amateur boxer. Following an honorable discharge, he attended Hopkins prep school as a post grad and played football. After this, he attended Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. There, he played football, enjoyed his fraternity and met his wife to be. After college, he worked in the engineering industry before becoming one of the first professors in the country to start a community technical school, (Waterbury State Technical College). During this time, Joe also earned a master’s degree in education from Southern Connecticut State College. Students at Waterbury Tech awarded Joe “Teacher of the Year” numerous times and the state awarded him “New England Technical Teacher of the Year”.
During his early years of research at Lockheed Martin and various other aerospace industries, Joe invented various components on the ejection and lighting systems of aircrafts. Joe retired from teaching after thirty five years and in 1981 co-founded his own company, United Avionics. Here, he continued to work until the age of eighty-nine, manufacturing aerospace components for the last thirty seven years with his son, Joe Jr. by his side. Joe is best known as everyone’s math tutor since he truly loved to teach even outside of the classroom. Joe valued education and served on the Ansonia Board of Education for years. He spoke of the need for education reform well into his last days where he preached that basic skills should be taught to students in order for them to successfully find employment. Joe advocated the importance of vocational schools. Joe served for years as a political advocate on town committees, education unions and as a democratic delegate, where his mission was to protect those less fortunate or without a voice. There was always a passionate political debate at the dinner table. He was a member of the former Saint Michael’s Society and marched as a drum major and clarinet player in his youth. Joe was also known as quite the swing dancer in the heydays of the forties.
Joe’s everlasting love to his beautiful Georgia peach, Rose, lasted for sixty years on this earth. His children’s needs always came before his own but he was a father to all of his grandchildren, nieces and nephews as well. He loved having his wife’s family visit him in Myrtle Beach. Joe loved to golf and have his boys with him (and even his granddaughter a few times too!). Joe will be missed dearly, but his example of love, hard work ethics and lectures on life will live on through all that knew him.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday July 28, 2017, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. On Saturday, his funeral will commence at 9:15 am from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia. Interment with U.S. Navy military honors to immediately follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Cardella’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
